Date:  Thursday, April 15, 2010

Contact: Patty Michaud, WSDOT Communications, 206-716-1133 (Seattle)
Amy Creekmore, WSDOT Communications, 425-241-8680 (Bellevue)

Crews will close I-5 six times to install high-tech Smarter Highways signs

SEATTLE – The first section of Smarter Highways, a high-tech traffic management system, is beginning to take shape on I-5 in south Seattle. The new network of sensors and electronic signs will move traffic more effectively by using our existing highways better, a key element of our three-part Moving Washington Strategy to reduce congestion.

Crews are shifting into high gear as they install 95 electronic signs and drivers should plan for full nighttime closures on northbound I-5 between Boeing Access Road and I-90 over the next three weekends.

“Drivers may have noticed that we’ve already installed a few of these high-tech signs,” said Craig Stone, WSDOT Division Director. “The next round of signs will be installed over each of the freeway lanes. To keep crews and drivers safe, we need to fully close northbound I-5 while we’re working above the freeway.”

Crews will close northbound I-5 between Boeing Access Road and I-90 at 11:30 p.m. on the following nights:

• Friday, April 16 
• Saturday, April 17 
• Friday, April 23 
• Saturday, April 24 
• Friday, April 30 
• Saturday, May 1

A signed detour will direct drivers to exit at Boeing Access Road to Airport Way and back onto I-5 via Edgar Martinez Way/SR 519. Crews will reopen the roadway by 6 a.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. on Sunday.

Drivers should consider taking alternate routes such as I-405 or SR 99 to avoid long delays and backups during the closures.

Media can watch the progress of crews installing the sign bridge Friday night by accessing the following WSDOT cameras:

• Boeing Access Road, N
• S. Benefit Street
• S. Henderson Street

Starting this summer, overhead electronic signs on northbound I-5 in south Seattle and SR 520 and I-90 between Seattle and Bellevue will alert drivers to reduce speeds or change lanes when there are collisions or backups on the road ahead.

Washington is one of the first states to implement cutting-edge Smarter Highways technology that uses real-time traffic information to improve safety and reduce congestion.

For more information about these projects please visit: www.smarterhighways.com. For more information about the construction closures, visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/King/Construction.

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