Clark County drivers can expect an increase in road congestion soon. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced it will be conducting several road improvement projects on Interstate 5 throughout the summer.
I-5 Dike Access Road Bridge and North Fork Lewis River Bridge
Soon, WSDOT contractors will be improving two bridges near Woodland on I-5 to repair years of wear and damage. To Woodland’s north, construction will take place on Dike Access Road Bridge’s southbound road. South of Woodland, crews will make northbound and southbound roads near the North Fork Lewis River Bridge.
On I-5 in the impacted areas, drivers can expect the flow of traffic to be reduced from three lanes to two narrow lanes through a traffic barrier. To repave both sides of the road, workers will alternate sides of the southbound road’s point of access halfway through construction. During the repavement process, the speed limit will be reduced from 70 mph to 60 mph through the workzone. Speed will be reduced to 45 mph on the bridge.
During the process, contract workers will repave I-5 to repair years of wear and damage on the two highway bridges, according to a news release. Expansion joints, which are used to alleviate stress on concrete bridges, will be replaced during the process. Road pavements are weather-dependent, and may experience delays should rain occur.
Construction on I-5 Dike Access Road Bridge’s southbound lane began this week and will end in approximately two months, according to WSDOT. Northbound I-5 at the North Fork Lewis River Bridge will be treated beginning in mid-May for a few weeks. Repairs to I-5 southbound will begin in mid-July and will last for two months.
Concrete Panel Replacements
Hundreds of concrete panels, which make up lanes on I-5, will be replaced throughout summer. The construction will take place on southbound I-5 in areas between Ridgefield and the I-5/Interstate 205 split.
According to WSDOT, work zones will be made on southbound I-5 as panels are replaced and new concrete is poured. The traffic speed will be reduced to 55 mph. Nightly single- and double-lane closures will occur in the work zone.
According to the WSDOT news release, the panels, which were installed between 50 and 70 years ago, have cracked and decayed, leading to bumpy roads. Construction will be completed in mid-fall.
