Date:  Thursday, February 21, 2008

Contact: Patty Michaud, WSDOT Communications, (425) 405-1785 (Everett), cell (206) 786-4079
Connie Lewis, WSDOT Communications, (425) 405-1796 (Everett), cell (425) 471-4222

EVERETT – The course is in great shape, the crews are on a roll, but the weather can be fickle. Crews have their work cut out for them as they race against the project clock and traditionally wet springtime weather to open a wider, smoother I-5 in Everett.

Last week, crews working for WSDOT contractor Atkinson-CH2M Hill reached the latest milestone for the I-5 Everett HOV freeway expansion project: opening two miles of the new HOV lanes. As they build on their momentum, crews have their eyes on the finish line, but they must first clear a series of gates between now and June.

A big jump to clear: Replacing the Pacific Avenue girder

Before crews can open the remaining new lanes and ramps, they must clear a challenging jump: replacing the girder on the I-5 southbound bridge passing over Pacific Avenue.

Starting Wednesday, March 5, WSDOT will begin work to replace a 95 foot long girder that supports southbound I-5 over Pacific Avenue in Everett. The southbound I-5 lanes will split around a construction zone between Everett Avenue and just north of 41st Street for up to eight weeks. Two lanes will run on the left side of the work zone, one lane will be on the right.

“Construction is just around the corner and this split will be in place for up to two months,” said I-5 HOV Project Director Mike Cotten, “We hope to complete the work faster, but the weather plays a critical role in our progress. We ask for drivers’ patience as they navigate through the construction zone and to be prepared for congestion”

Drivers continuing on southbound I-5 may use all three lanes. However, drivers headed for Everett via the US 2 eastbound /Everett Avenue exits and the 41st Street exit must use the right lane.

Crews will work seven days a week and plan additional nighttime I-5 southbound lane and ramp closures to allow space for big equipment and material hauling to and from the site.

“We will use the extra space from the new lanes to provide the necessary room for a safe construction zone,” said Cotten “If we didn’t have those new lanes, we’d have to shut down southbound I-5 to repair the bridge.”

Find out more about the Pacific Avenue bridge girder replacement project and get maps of the southbound I-5 traffic split by visiting www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/PacAveBridgeGirder/DetourMaps.htm.

The remaining gates on the course

Once they complete the Pacific Avenue bridge repairs, crews will focus their efforts wrapping up the remaining work. They plan to clear most of the gates by late May:

Late April

• open southbound HOV between Marine View Drive and the Lowell Bridge (52nd St. SE)
• open southbound auxiliary lane between US 2 and the 41st Street interchange
• open new northbound HOV lane between SR 526 and US 2

May 21

• open new I-5 northbound to Broadway Avenue HOV exit ramp
• open new Broadway Avenue to I-5 southbound HOV entrance ramp
• open new 41st Street entrance ramp to I-5 southbound

June

• New traffic cameras and ramp meters

The $263 million project is scheduled to be complete by June 2008. Find out more about the I-5 Everett HOV freeway expansion project by visiting www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/HOVSR526toUS2/.

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