Date:  Friday, November 13, 2009

Contact:
Troy Watts, Field Engineer, 253-589-6100
WSDOT Communications, 360-357-2789

TACOMA – WSDOT makes the first of two significant roadway shifts on the I-5/SR 16 Westbound Nalley Valley Project next week, opening new eastbound lanes and maintaining full access to I-5 through the work zone.

An overnight, weather-dependent closure is scheduled between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16 and Saturday, Nov. 21 on eastbound SR 16 from Union Avenue to I-5. The weather window allows crews to restripe the roadway and reset barrier.

During the single-night closure, eastbound drivers can follow a signed detour route from SR 16 to Union Avenue, south to 38th Street and east to I-5. Eastbound on-ramps to SR 16 from Center and Union streets will also be closed.

The closure does not affect westbound SR 16 traffic at Nalley Valley.

“This shift is significant to drivers and the project because it keeps traffic moving and keeps us on schedule through the winter months,” said Project Engineer Jon Deffenbacher. “The new eastbound lanes give motorists a direct route past the westbound viaduct work without reducing their access to I-5. They also allow us to make headway on the temporary westbound lanes.”

Drivers can continue to expect congestion and a 40 mph speed limit through the work zone when the new temporary eastbound lanes open next week. The lanes reroute traffic so crews can begin constructing the temporary westbound lanes and preparing for the westbound traffic shift.

That shift is scheduled for spring 2010 and reroutes traffic off the existing westbound SR 16 and onto the temporary lanes, allowing crews to complete the new SR 16 Westbound Nalley Valley viaduct in 2011.

To view the latest project photos, visit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/sets/72157611967745770/

To learn more about the project, visit: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/PierceCountyHOV/SR16_WBNalleyValley/

For more information about upcoming traffic impacts in Pierce County, visit: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/Olympic/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 www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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