Date:  Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Contact: Chris Tams, WSDOT Project Engineer, (360) 759-1310 (Vancouver)
Abbi Russell, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2058 (Vancouver)

RIDGEFIELD – Construction on the I-5, SR 501 Ridgefield Interchange project officially began Sept. 8, and WSDOT’s contractor, Tapani Underground Inc., spent the past week mobilizing equipment and performing preliminary work.

The first traffic impacts begin this week as crews close the left lanes of I-5 near the existing SR 501 bridge (mile post 14.21) to install guardrail in the median in preparation for constructing the new bridge.

The left lane of I-5 northbound will be closed from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 to 4 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17. The left lane of southbound I-5 will be closed from 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 to 4 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18.

WSDOT will reduce traffic impacts for this project by only allowing lane closures on I-5 at night. WSDOT will continue to inform the public when impacts occur.

The $28 million I-5, SR 501 Ridgefield Interchange project improves safety and mobility on the interstate, SR 501 and adjacent roads by building a wider bridge to take SR 501 over I-5 and lengthening the I-5 on-ramps.

The project is funded through state and local funding sources and received 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds earlier this year, allowing WSDOT to begin construction earlier than anticipated. The project is expected to support nearly 200 direct and indirect jobs in local communities.

Construction is expected to be complete in late 2011 or early 2012. For more information, please visit the project Web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/I5/SR501Interchange/.

Washington State is administering the Recovery Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire has created a new website, 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 state’s 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 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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