Last weekend marked the seventh of nine extended weekend closures for the I-5 concrete rehabilitation project currently under way in Thurston and Pierce counties. With 268 of 295 concrete panels replaced and 18,537 of the 56,600 dowel bars installed, the 25.5-mile project is well on its way to being complete by the end of summer, but there is still plenty of work to do.
Since this $8.4 million Recovery Act-funded project to rehabilitate some of the worst sections on I-5 from Lacey to Tacoma began in April, motorists have endured nighttime and weekend closures that have reduced I-5 down to a single lane of traffic.
Typical closures continue this week on I-5 with northbound and southbound closures occurring overnight from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Mon., May 24 through Thurs., May 27 in Lacey, Lakewood and Tacoma. No work is scheduled Fri., May 28 through Mon., May 31 in observance of Memorial Day. Work on the project will resume on Tuesday night.
“I hope everyone has a great and safe Memorial Day Holiday,” said Region Administrator, Kevin Dayton. “This weekend, motorists can travel where and when they want on I-5 in Pierce and Thurston counties without worrying about closures from the I-5 concrete rehabilitation work.”
Weather-permitting, the next weekend closure is scheduled for June 4-6 northbound I-5 just south of Bridgeport Way in Lakewood. This closure will have continuous double- and triple-lane closures on I-5 northbound that could result in 10-mile backups that reach the Pierce/Thurston county line.
The panel replacement portion of the project is 90 percent complete and 30 percent of the dowel bars being installed are in place. Crews have also begun grinding the roadway surface. Once the grinding portion of the project is complete, motorists will have a much smoother ride.
Drivers can know before they go by checking the flow maps and traffic cams found at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/tacoma, or calling 5-1-1.
This week’s entire current work schedule can be found on the region’s weekly impact report at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/Olympic/Construction/ or drivers can stay informed about this project by visiting http://www.tacomatraffic.com .
