Date:  Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Contact: Dave Chesson, WSDOT Communications, 360-757-5970
             Jay Drye, Engineering Manager, 360-757-5993

BELLINGHAM – More good weather is good news and bad news for drivers on I-5 in Bellingham. Crews will close lanes on I-5 in Bellingham all weekend to replace broken concrete panels. Drivers should be prepared for delays of at least a half-hour and backups of up to two miles. The good news is that this should be the last weekend-long lane closure.

The right lanes of north- and southbound I-5 will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday, May 30, to 6 a.m. Monday, June 2, between Samish Way (exit 252) and Sunset Drive (exit 255).

During past weekend-long lane closures, the worst delays were 40 minutes and the longest backups were two miles.

Crews hope to complete their work on I-5 this weekend, but will still close on- and off-ramps in Bellingham in the middle of June to complete repairs and paving.

Drivers who plan to travel through Bellingham are strongly encouraged to use I-5 during off-peak times, before 8 a.m. and after 7 p.m., when delays and backups are likely to be shorter. Graphs showing the best times to use I-5 are available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i5/36thStToSlaterRdRepairs.

WSDOT reminds drivers who have to drive through the work zone to prepare for stop-and-go traffic and long delays by having a full tank of fuel. With 40-minute delays, drivers low on fuel can run out, further delaying traffic.

This work is part of a $4.5 million project that will replace 212 broken concrete panels, pave four rough ramps and smooth bumpy transitions across bridges. More project details are available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/36thStToSlaterRdRepairs.

View, download or comment on photos of the repair work at www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/sets/72157604802092229.

Stay tuned into the closure schedule by subscribing to Whatcom County e-mail updates at www.wsdot.wa.gov/northwest/emailupdates.

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