Work schedule:
The work described on this page is taking place during overnight lane reductions and several scheduled weekend-long lane or full closures:
All weekend-long lane reductions scheduled for 2018 are complete.
Expansion joint replacement
Thirty-seven deteriorating expansion joints on 10 bridges have been replaced -- 22 on the mainline and 15 on various ramps and express lanes -- on northbound I-5 from the South Boeing Access Road on-ramp to the Ship Canal Bridge.
Expansion joints are critical to the safe operation of bridges. They allow a bridge deck to expand and contract during changes in temperature. An expansion joint that fails can pop up into traffic.
Concrete panel replacement
Crews will remove damaged concrete panels throughout the length of the project. These panels are cracked beyond repair. After the panels are removed, the roadbed will be repaired as necessary with new gravel and then new concrete panels poured.
All concrete panels from near the West Seattle Bridge to near the express lanes ramp will be replaced. Select panels will be replaced between:
Roadway grinding
Roadway grinding is one of the most cost-efficient and effective ways to improve the driving surface of aging concrete. However, grinding is a noisy operation.
Grinding removes a very thin layer of the concrete to reveal a new surface. This new surface improves traction for drivers and removes wheel ruts where water can pool.
Crews will grind between:
Repaving
Crews will repave the following ramps:
Repaving requires the removal of the top 1.5 to 2 inches of the existing pavement by milling it off. This can be unavoidably noisy work. After the asphalt removal is complete, the roadbed will be repaired as needed by excavating deep potholes and cracks and then placing new fill and gravel. Once repairs are complete, a new layer of asphalt will be placed.
Along ramps that are being repaved, various existing pedestrian ramps will be rebuilt to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
Safety barrier improvements
A safety barrier will be extended between the mainline and the collector-distributor lanes at Martin Luther King Junior Way South/State Route 900.
A damaged concrete barrier at the Mercer Street on-ramp will also be replaced.