Motorists planning to use Interstate 5 through Thurston County may want to consider an alternative route or reschedule their travels today, as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is set to undertake scheduled maintenance work that is expected to cause significant disruptions. KIRO 7 reports that a two-mile stretch of northbound I-5 from Exit 82 to Exit 88 at the Lewis and Thurston County line will be reduced to one lane from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and warns of potential delays lasting up to two hours, with traffic backups possibly stretching 10 miles.
These lane reductions, necessary for filling potholes and gaps in the roadway, come as part of WSDOT's efforts to preserve the integrity of the highway and are scheduled during optimal weather conditions, which, according to current forecasts, will be clear skies and temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s. Despite the clear weather facilitating the work, the traffic situation could become quite challenging, as WSDOT notes, with the single-lane restriction creating not only delays but also a test of patience for those who must navigate the expanse, there's a necessity to top off fuel tanks or ensure a fully charged vehicle, and the department suggests traveling early in the morning or late in the afternoon and factoring in an additional two hours for the journey to mitigate these predicted backups, as KOMO News outlines.
Given the inevitable congestion and the extended time required to traverse this normally brief section of highway, WSDOT encourages drivers to either reschedule unnecessary trips or diligently prepare for the extended commute. FOX 13 Seattle underscores the importance of adapting travel plans to accommodate the delays or seeking alternate routes to bypass the impacted segment of I-5. Officials have warned that daytime lane closures are not a mere inconvenience but an almost certain precursor to lengthy delays.
For those who have no choice but to travel through this portion of I-5 during the maintenance window, WSDOT's advice is clear: plan ahead, be ready for slower moving traffic. With delays projected, commuters are urged to consider this advice seriously in order to navigate the day.
