Date:  Monday, August 25, 2008

Contact: Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7080 (Olympia)
Doug Pierce, Safety Rest Areas Program Manager, (360) 705-7812 (Olympia)

OLYMPIA – The late August deluge has delayed a paving project at the Scatter Creek Safety Rest Area on northbound I-5 south of Olympia. All services are available, but travelers should expect limited parking through Tuesday, Sept. 2. A break in the weather could allow crews to finish paving and striping late this week.

Rain also forced WSDOT crews to extend a full closure of the Maytown Safety Rest Area on southbound I-5 south of Olympia. The facility closed Aug. 18 and will re-open to travelers on Friday, Aug. 29, ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Once re-opened, renovations will continue at the Maytown Safety Rest Area through Oct. 31. Restroom services are limited to portable toilets and hand sanitizer, and there is no water available or free coffee service.

Work at the Maytown and Scatter Creek Safety Rest Areas is part of an $8.5 million renovation and environmental improvement project to update the rest areas, improve parking, RV dump stations, and connect to the local sewer system.

WSDOT recognizes the inconvenience and crews will complete the work as soon as possible. Drivers are encouraged to follow the blue motorist information signs along the highway that advertise alternative services.

For more information about WSDOT's safety rest areas, including a statewide list of locations, visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/safety/restareas/.

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