Date:  Friday, May 22, 2009

Contact: Dave Chesson, WSDOT Communications, 360-661-7829
Dave Crisman, WSDOT Project Engineer, 360-428-1593

BURLINGTON – Crews will open a new, elevated southbound off-ramp at the Interstate 5/State Route 20 interchange Tuesday, May 26. Opening the ramp is a major milestone for crews working to improve a five-mile stretch of SR 20 between Memorial Highway and I-5.

The new off-ramp will help relieve congestion and improve safety at the busiest interchange in Burlington.

“The new off-ramp is going to make a huge difference at the interchange,” Project Engineer Dave Crisman said. “It’s longer, wider and safer, and provides direct access to SR 20.”

Southbound I-5 drivers exiting the interstate on the new elevated ramp will now be directly connected with SR 20 at the new Garrett Road intersection. In the past, drivers exited onto a side road and often experienced delays when trying to access SR 20.

When the new off-ramp opens, crews will close and remove the temporary off-ramp near Goldenrod Road and then finish building the new southbound I-5 on-ramp. Drivers will also be able to access the new on-ramp directly from SR 20.

The new off- and on-ramps are part of a $118 million project that improves five miles of SR 20 and the interchange at I-5. The project has supported an estimated 450 jobs since it began in 2007.

For more specific details about the project, visit the project Web page - www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr20/sr536fredonia.  

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