Date:  Thursday, June 11, 2009

Contact: Colin Newell, Chehalis Area Engineer, (866) 713-2412 toll-free (Chehalis)
Abbi Russell, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2058 (Vancouver)

CHEHALIS – A summer of closures on I-5 in Lewis County starts next week as WSDOT begins work on an $8.58 million project to pave the interstate. For the next four months, drivers in both directions will encounter night time single-lane closures on I-5 between Koontz Road and Harrison Avenue (mile posts 69.44 to 82.38).

The I-5 – Koontz Road to Harrison Avenue paving project will pave eight miles of interstate and support an estimated 35 direct and indirect jobs in the local community. WSDOT added $3.58 million in stimulus funds to an existing $5 million paving project. This allowed WSDOT to expand the scope of the project by five miles and construct it earlier than anticipated.

Starting Monday, June 15 through Friday, June 19, WSDOT contractor crews will utilize single-lane closures on I-5 to remove raised pavement markings, fill in rumble strips and repair deteriorating concrete panels. All work will take place between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

In addition, the speed limit between Koontz Road and Rush Road (mile posts 69.44 to 72.83) will be reduced from 70 mph to 60 mph, effective only during work hours. The speed reduction ensures a consistent speed limit throughout the project area and increases safety for drivers and workers. 

Next week’s work will prepare the interstate for paving operations, which begin June 22. Drivers can expect similar impacts throughout the summer in the 13-mile project area.

Paving I-5 preserves the interstate’s road surface, reduces maintenance costs and improves safety and mobility for all drivers.

This project is expected to be complete in October. For more information, please visit the project Web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/pavementrehab/I5ChamberWaytoHarrison.

Washington State is administering the Recovery Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire has created a new Web site, www.recovery.wa.gov, enabling every Washingtonian to see where their tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Obama has appointed Vice President Biden, a proven and aggressive Inspector General, to oversee all states’ recovery efforts and root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted. 

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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 http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/newsfor pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/trafficor by dialing 5-1-1.

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