Date:  Monday, January 19, 2009

Contact: Dustin Terpening, WSDOT Communications, 360-757-5997 (Burlington)
Janice Marlega, Project Engineer, 360-757-5856 (Burlington)

Plan your route around the closure now

BURLINGTON – There is only one week remaining before the SR 11 Chuckanut Drive overpass in Burlington closes for two months for repairs. And now is a good time to start planning alternate routes around the closure.

Crews will close the overpass on Monday, Jan. 26 to demolish and replace the east half of the bridge that was damaged by an over-height truck on I-5 in July 2008. The Chuckanut Drive overpass will remain closed through most of March, and drivers will have to find alternate routes around.

Signed detour routes will be in place; however WSDOT is requesting that those familiar with the area plan out their routes now.

“The closure is coming quickly and drivers need to be ready for it,” said Project Engineer Janice Marlega. “The last thing we want are drivers caught by surprise and showing up late for work because they weren’t ready for it.”

WSDOT knows the closure will be an inconvenience for drivers, but says this is the fastest and safest way to repair the damaged overpass.

“The closure is going to be an inconvenience and will add time to drivers’ commutes,” said Marlega. “But with the bridge completely closed, we can get in, tear down the damaged portion, rebuild it and open the road significantly faster.”

While the overpass will be closed, the on- and off-ramps at the Chuckanut Drive interchange (exit 231) will remain open during most of construction.

Pictures of the damage are available on the WSDOT Flickr account - www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/sets/72157606094350288/.  

For more details about the $1 million project, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/SR11ChuckanutBridgeRepair/.  

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