Date:  Monday, June 07, 2010

Contact:
Neal Uhlmeyer, Project Engineer, 360-412-3420
WSDOT Communications, 360-357-2789

Agency credits drivers for deferring trips and changing travel patterns

OLYMPIA – WSDOT and its contractor, Penhall Co., successfully replaced the northbound I-5 Clover Creek Bridge approach slabs in Lakewood over the weekend. Crews worked around the clock from Friday, June 4, to Sunday, June 6, to replace the 50-year-old approaches. Thanks to drivers, the backups and delays were shorter than anticipated.

The extended weekend work marked the eighth of nine closures for this $8.4 million project to rehabilitate the worst sections of I-5 between Lacey and Tacoma. To date, crews have successfully replaced 283 of 295 worn panels and installed 20,655 of 56,700 dowel bars.

“We really have to thank motorists for avoiding the area this weekend. Thanks to them, the backups and delays were shorter than expected,” said Kevin Dayton, region administrator. “We asked drivers to avoid the area hoping for a reduction and the word got out because we saw traffic volumes reduce by more than 30 percent – even with the Special Olympics Summer Games and different sporting events in Tacoma and Seattle.”

The longest backup was six miles long at its greatest point on Saturday afternoon, stretching from Bridgeport Way to the main gate of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The delays were approximately 30 minutes.

“We have one more prolonged weekend closure to go,” said Dayton. “We need drivers to hang in there and help us out one more time. We appreciate everyone’s patience and help during the work.”

The ninth and final extended weekend closure is planned for Friday, June 11. Weekend work hours are:

• Friday, June 11 – two lanes of both northbound and southbound I-5 between Gravelly Lake Drive in Lakewood and 48th Street in Tacoma close at 9 p.m.; three lanes close by 11 p.m. Southbound lanes reopen by 6 a.m. Saturday, June 12 and northbound lanes reopen by 11 a.m. Saturday, June 12.
• Saturday, June 12 – two lanes northbound I-5 between Gravelly Lake Drive in Lakewood and 48th Street in Tacoma close at 7 p.m. with a triple-lane closure in effect by 8 p.m. All lanes reopen by noon, Sunday, June 13.

For the remainder of the project, motorists can expect nightly lane closures from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday in both directions of I-5 between Martin Way in Lacey and 48th Street in Tacoma while crews finish installing the dowel bars and grinding the roadway smooth. The project is expected to wrap up by mid-August

This week’s entire current work schedule can be found on the region’s weekly impact report at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/Olympic/Construction/ or drivers can stay informed about this project by visiting http://www.tacomatraffic.com/.

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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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