Traffic headaches are on the horizon for Woodland travelers using the southbound Interstate 5 as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) sets to begin major repairs on the North Fork Lewis River Bridge starting July 15, per an announcement from the department. M.J. Hughes Construction has been contracted for the overhaul, which will condense southbound I-5 from three lanes down to two, in a bid to expedite the process and cut costs while aiming toenhance work zone safety and the integrity of the project.
Motorists should brace themselves for lane reductions starting July 15, with initial preparations marked by single and double lane closures at night for signage installations, as detailed by WSDOT. Following this, come July 22, lanes and shoulders will narrow within the work zone, and speed limits are set to drop from 70 mph to 60 mph—and down to 45 mph when crossing the bridge, the Department of Transportation informs us. For heightened caution, irregular additional double lane closures may be imposed during nights.
Confronting the foreseeable congestion, WSDOT is urging drivers to rethink travel plans, especially during peak times. Data underscores Friday afternoons as the peak of travel angst, with projected delays climbing to over an hour and backups extending well into the double digits in miles. To manage the disruption, WSDOT's 'Smart Work Zone System' will provide real-time traffic conditions via reader board signs, promoting a “zipper merge” approach for efficiency and safety within the work area.
There's a silver lining once the dust settles on the $17 million undertaking set to conclude fall of 2024—commercial vehicles will face no more weight restrictions and truckers can abandon the current mandatory lane shift over the bridge. For the interim, WSDOT counts on the cooperation of drivers to slow down, pay attention, and look for changes in the traffic pattern while in the work zone, all aimed at fostering a smoother ride for everyone involved, according to the agency's report.
