Date:  Friday, April 10, 2009

Contact: Jamie Holter, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4698 (Seattle)

SEATTLE – It’s shaping up to be a busy weekend for WSDOT contractors, maintenance crews and engineers. WSDOT contractors will be busy on I-5 in Seattle with more concrete pavement work. WSDOT maintenance crews are gearing up for a Sunday of predicted heavy snow at Snoqualmie Pass. WSDOT engineers want drivers to be alert to changes on Royal Brougham Way in downtown Seattle ahead of Tuesday’s Mariner’s baseball home opener.

I-5 express lane work

www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i5/seattlepavementrepair/

This weekend, contractor crews will replace 29 cracked and broken concrete panels in the I-5 express lanes between Dearborn and Lakeview. Another set of workers will grind bumpy and rutted pavement between downtown Seattle and 85^th Street. WSDOT bridge crews will also move in to perform required Ship Canal bridge inspections. Expecting heavier holiday weekend traffic, our traffic engineers looked at ways to open any portion of the express lanes to traffic. Because crews will be working at multiple locations, it is not possible.

“We reworked the schedule to get our bridge crews in while the express lanes were closed,” said Lorena Eng, Northwest Regional Administrator. “This means one less weekend closure in September. We think drivers will appreciate that.”

• This weekend, crews will close the I-5 express lanes from 11 p.m., Friday, April 10, through 5 a.m., Monday, April 13.
• Drivers headed north or south on I-5 through Seattle should expect up to 45-minute delays between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

When this portion of the $21 million project is complete, drivers will notice a smoother ride and better traction.

I-90 Snoqualmie Pass

www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes

Forecasters are predicting heavy snowfall across Snoqualmie Pass this weekend, especially Sunday. If your weekend plans call for skiing, snowboarding or family visits, please plan ahead and make sure you are prepared for winter driving conditions.

Downtown Seattle

www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr519/

Contractor crews are building a new bridge over the railroad tracks on Royal Brougham Way near Safeco and Qwest fields. Bridge construction requires narrowing the street to one lane in each direction between Occidental Avenue S. and Fourth Avenue S. during major events and closing the street to through traffic at all other times until early spring 2010.

The Royal Brougham Way closures that began March 30 will get their first major test in the next 10 days. Sounders FC will play at Qwest Field Saturday, April 11, followed by the first Mariners homestand at Safeco Field starting Tuesday, April 14. And the AMA Supercross will occur Saturday, April 18, at Qwest Field.

What should drivers do?

Drivers are strongly encouraged to take alternate routes or plan for delays.

Drivers should

• plan for delays on I-5 through Seattle.
• check for snow before you head to the passes.
• check the Web for the latest information before you leave at
  www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009/today.
• check the traffic map to pinpoint and avoid congestion www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle.
• use the overhead freeway signs and the 511 driver information line to get up-to-the minute information on the road.

For more detailed closure information on these projects and other work this weekend, drivers should bookmark www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009 and check the “What’s happening now” link.

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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