Date:  Friday, February 06, 2009

Contact: Travis Phelps, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4472 (Seattle)

SEATTLE – The Washington State Department of Transportation kicks off the 2009 construction season nearly two months earlier than usual in order to pack in dozens of major road repair projects. Drivers will see major closures on I-5 in Seattle and Tacoma, I-405, SR 520 in Redmond and on I-90 across Lake Washington between February and October.

“The next two construction seasons will be among the largest that the department has ever delivered,” said Paula Hammond, Transportation Secretary. “While we expect a big impact for drivers this summer, these projects represent critical maintenance work and system improvements. We have worked hard to coordinate our work zones with cities and counties and regional transit work because we want to help drivers know as much about their route as possible before they leave home.”

I-5 through downtown and North Seattle

WSDOT begins the 2009 season on I-5 with a pavement rehabilitation project. I-5’s 40-year-old concrete pavement has ruts and, in many locations, is cracking. This summer’s $21 million project will replace 450 cracked concrete panels and grind and smooth 18 miles of rough road between South Seattle and the King/Snohomish county line.

“Drivers complain about the rough ride and we don’t blame them,” said Lorena Eng, regional administrator. “Fortunately, this work represents the start of a long-term effort to rehabilitate I-5, a main component of Washington’s economic engine.”

A larger multi-billion dollar project to repave all of I-5 is nearly a decade away and still largely unfunded. For more information visit, www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/Rehab/.

Most lane closures will take place at night and on the weekends to avoid the peak morning, daytime and evening commute. Traffic models show drivers have more flexibility to adjust their travel times on the weekends. Models also show lighter traffic on nights and weekends.

I-5/SR 16 in Tacoma

WSDOT also begins major work on the SR 16 Nalley Valley bridge project. Crews will rebuild the connection between I-5 and SR 16 to make room for more traffic and increase safety. Drivers will see the first real work Feb. 13 when crews close the Sprague Avenue ramps to and from SR 16.

The detours will be well-signed, but it will take drivers some extra time to get through the area, www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/PierceCountyHOV/SR16_WBNalleyValley/Detours.htm.

WSDOT helps drivers get through construction zones

To help drivers get around during this construction season and the I-5 work right around the corner, WSDOT will:

• provide accurate, updated and timely information on-line at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/ so drivers can plan their route in advance.
• deliver up-to-the-minute information to the 5-1-1 traveler information line, and overhead freeway signs.
• work extensively with regional media, including television and radio stations, to let drivers know what’s happening right now on the road so there are no surprises.
• operate our emergency operations center when necessary to quickly respond to traffic emergencies.
• use social networking like twitter and blogging and email delivered right to your inbox to give drivers the best information about route planning that’s available.

We have been meeting with local commute trip reduction organizers, local business and community groups, emergency responders, and many other groups to prepare businesses and communities for this work.

“We are enhancing our current traffic information site to expand the tools drivers can use to plan their routes,” said Lloyd Brown, Communication Director.

The information now available allows drivers to plan a day, a week, a month, and even six months in advance to avoid major construction closures and plan alternate routes. We strongly recommend all drivers who drive through or around Seattle and Bellevue take the time to look at the Web page. www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009

2009 season is extensive

WSDOT, Sound Transit, the Seattle Department of Transportation and King County Metro officials have worked together to coordinate the closures due to road construction.

A planning calendar is now on-line for you can see which projects are on what roads each month. www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009/calendar/default.htm We have included SDOT and Sound Transit work that affects state highways.

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