Date:  Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Contact: Chris Tams, Project Engineer, (360) 759-1310 (Vancouver)
Susan Fell, Assistant Project Engineer, (360) 759-1312 (Vancouver)
Sylvia Ross, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2058 (Vancouver)

VANCOUVER – As crews install bridge girders that will span I-5 for the new SR 502 Interchange, motorists can expect daytime single-lane closures and rolling slowdowns Jan. 14, 15, 16 and 18. The first bridge girders to be installed will span the interstate’s median. This work was originally scheduled for early December but was delayed due to rising water levels during the early December storm and the subsequent closure of I-5 north of Vancouver.

Rolling slowdowns are scheduled to begin at approximately 8:00 a.m. each morning on January 14 through 16 and at approximately 4:00 a.m. on January 18. There will be a total of four rolling slowdowns each day. The Washington State Patrol will be on hand to conduct the rolling slowdowns on I-5 northbound, which will begin near the NE 134th Street on-ramp. Flaggers will be located at the NE 179th Street on-ramp and at the rest area to direct vehicles entering the freeway.

For the safety of motorists and crews, the girder installation requires a single lane closure of I-5 northbound, along with rolling slowdowns. During these four days, sixteen bridge girders will be installed. Sixteen more bridge girders will be installed over the highway the following week; during all installations, motorists should expect scheduled traffic impacts, including lane closures, rolling slowdowns and traffic revisions. All traffic impacts will take place in the I-5, SR 502 Interchange construction zone, located north of the NE 179th Street/ Fairgrounds Exit.

The 180-foot long bridge girders are being installed for the new I-5, SR 502 Interchange project, which will connect I-5 with State Route 502. This $56 million project, funded through the 2003 Nickel Funding Package, is scheduled for completion in 2009. For more information on this project, visit the project web page at: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR502/Interchange/.

Advanced warning signs will be posted. Motorists are asked to please pay attention to the warning signs. Motorists are also reminded that all traffic fines are doubled within a construction work zone when workers are present (RCW 46.61.527).

For weekly updates on this and all other traffic impacts in the region, please visit the WSDOT Southwest Region Weekly Travel Advisory Web page at: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthWest/Construction/default.htm. 


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Drivers can now get real time traffic and weather information by dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. This new traveler information system builds upon the highly successful Washington State Highway hotline that managed 4.6 million calls each year. Callers can also use 5-1-1 to get statewide construction, mountain pass condition, and state ferry system information, as well as toll free numbers for passenger rail and airlines. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.

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