Date:
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Contact:
Broch Bender, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4788
SEATTLE – Crews are making good progress as they repair cracked and damaged concrete on I-5 between Stewart Street and I-90. The first weekend of work is going well and crews expect to open all lanes of southbound I-5 by 5 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 16.
Traffic
Traffic flowed smoothly for most of the day, with the exception of a large backup early in the afternoon that was caused by police activity near Olive Way. On average, it took drivers between 30 and 60 minutes to get through the work zone.
The express lanes were much less congested than the mainline and remain a great option to get to downtown Seattle. They will be open in the southbound direction all weekend long. There are two exits for HOV drivers (5th/Columbia and Pike/Pine) and two exits for all drivers (Stewart Street and Mercer Street).
WSDOT engineers say many drivers heeded WSDOT’s advice and took alternate routes. I-405 and other north-south routes were more congested than a typical weekend. However, SR 99 through Seattle was wide open for much of the day. Drivers are encouraged to continue seeking alternate routes.
Progress on the job
Crews made substantial progress today. They removed 41 cracked and damaged concrete panels near I-90 and the Convention Center. They will pour concrete this evening. It takes about 18 hours for the new concrete to cure. We are still on pace to reopen the lanes in time for the Monday morning commute.
Got questions?
If you have a question about this weekend’s work, please drop us a note at wsdotconstruction@wsdot.wa.gov.
Follow the traffic and the progress
WSDOT has many ways you can stay on top of the traffic and the work on this project:
WSDOT’s up-to-the minute Web-based traveler information at:
This $21 million project is funded by the 2003 gas tax dollars. This project puts 80 Washington union workers to work.
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