Date:  Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Contact: MaryLou Nebergall, WSDOT Project Engineer, 360-570-6752
              Jamie Swift, WSDOT Communications, 360-357-2703

OLYMPIA – Interstate 5 drivers in Thurston County should expect delays starting this week as crews working on a freeway-widening project begin paving in the median.

Over the next several weeks, frequent rolling slowdowns and nighttime single-lane closures are needed to get trucks and equipment in and out of the median. The paving will start once the wet weather subsides.

"This will be a tough few weeks for Thurston County drivers, but we're making great progress on the widening project," said WSDOT Olympic Region Administrator Kevin Dayton.

Contractor Scarsella Brothers, Inc. of Kent and its subcontractors are moving into the paving phase of the I-5 Grand Mound to Maytown project while continuing to build bridges, install drainage, install permanent lighting and landscape the areas adjacent to the freeway.

An estimated 250 jobs are supported by this $61.5 million construction project, which adds a third lane in each direction on an eight-mile stretch of I-5. The project broke ground in May 2008 and is about 30 percent complete. Completion is scheduled for summer 2010.

Drivers are advised to plan ahead for delays, consider alternate routes and drive safely in the work zone.

Project information online:
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/GrandMoundtoMaytown/

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