Date:  Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Contact: Allen Hendy, Vancouver Assistant Area Engineer, (360) 905-1522 (Vancouver)
Annie Linstrom, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2079 (Vancouver)

VANCOUVER – Starting this week, drivers will encounter a series of weekend-long right lane closures on northbound I-205 and ramp closures at Mill Plain Boulevard (milepost 28) to allow WSDOT’s contractor to safely pave portions of the new ramps and shoulders on the I-205, Mill Plain Exit – 112th Connector project. Work will wrap up by 5 a.m. each Monday to avoid impacting the weekday commute.

9 p.m. Friday, June 19 to 5 a.m. Monday, June 22
Drivers will encounter continuous right-lane closures between the Mill Plain Boulevard off-ramp and NE 18th Street (mileposts 28.66 to 29.34) while crews pave the north end of the new bridge. In addition, the northbound on-ramp to I-205 from Mill Plain Boulevard will be closed for paving of the shoulder and new ramp.

9 p.m. Friday, June 26 to 5 a.m. Monday, June 29
Drivers will encounter a full closure of the new off-ramp from I-205 northbound to westbound Mill Plain Boulevard while crews pave and stripe the new ramp and remove barrier along the interstate. Once work is complete, the new ramp will be open to traffic.

10 p.m. Friday, July 10 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13
Drivers will encounter a right-lane closure on I-205 northbound from the north end of the Glenn Jackson Bridge to the Mill Plain Boulevard off-ramp (mileposts 27.10 to 27.93). The northbound Mill Plain eastbound and westbound off-ramps will also be closed to allow crews to pave, stripe and remove barrier.

WSDOT will continue to inform the public of these traffic impacts before each paving operation begins. Advanced warning signs will be posted and message boards will be utilized during these closures to inform drivers of alternate routes available. Drivers are asked to please pay attention to the warning signs. Drivers are also reminded that all traffic fines are doubled within a construction work zone when workers are present (RCW 46.61.527).

Drivers should note that paving work is a highly weather-sensitive activity. Work may be cancelled or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

The $26 million 112th Connector project builds a new bridge to provide drivers exiting northbound I-205 with direct access to NE 112th Avenue without having to navigate through traffic at Mill Plain Boulevard. This partnership project between WSDOT and the City of Vancouver began construction in June 2008. The project is under budget and remains on-schedule for completion by the end of the year.

For more information about the I-205, Mill Plain Exit – 112th Connector project, please visit the project Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i205/millplainne112/.

For weekly updates on this and all other traffic impacts in the region, please visit the WSDOT Southwest Region Weekly Travel Advisory Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthWest/Construction. 

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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 http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/trafficor by dialing 5-1-1.

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