Date:  Friday, July 18, 2008

Contact: Colin Newell, Chehalis Project Engineer, (866) 713-2412 (toll-free in Chehalis)
Abbi Russell, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2057 (Vancouver)

CHEHALIS – Maurin Road will continue to be closed to traffic through Monday, July 28, while contractors finish widening work, announces the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). This closure and widening is part of the I-5, Rush Road to 13th Street widening project.

Originally scheduled to be closed Monday, July 14 through Monday, July 21, widening work on Maurin Road had to be rescheduled due to a problem with the equipment. Crews had already ground out existing pavement when a grinder malfunctioned, and because of the rough condition of the road, Maurin Road was not reopened to traffic during the work stoppage.

Once equipment is restored, crews will re-grade the road, move water lines and pave and stripe the widened roadway. Detours will be the same as last week; they are as follows:

From the north: Beginning at the intersection of Bishop Road and Sturdevant Road, motorists will be routed to Jackson Highway, then onto Maurin Road from Jackson Highway.

From the south: Beginning at the intersection of Rush Road and Bishop Road, motorists will be routed on Rush Road all the way to Maurin Road.

This work is part of the I-5, Rush Road to 13th Street Project, which is currently underway, widening a four-mile stretch of I-5, between the Rush Road Interchange and the 13th Street Interchange in Chehalis. Maurin Road will be the new access point from I-5 to the Port of Chehalis.

Construction on the Rush Road to 13th Street Project began in July 2007 and is expected to be complete in 2009. For more information on this project, visit the project Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i5/RushRd13thSt.

Advanced warning signs will be posted during the closure. 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: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthWest/Construction.

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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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