Residents and travelers in the central Puget Sound region should prepare for a series of highway closures starting this weekend, as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) undertakes a range of construction and maintenance activities. In a recent announcement, WSDOT detailed plans for major preservation and repair work set to begin tomorrow night and continue until next Monday morning. Aiming to make the most of the limited window of warm, dry weather, WSDOT is coordinating multiple closures simultaneously.
Drivers are advised to anticipate delays, especially along key corridors connecting Seattle and South Pierce County. Northbound lanes on Interstate 5 across the Ship Canal Bridge in Seattle will be narrowed down to two lanes up until 11:59 p.m. Friday, August 15. To possibly minimize travel times, WSDOT recommends travelers to plan their trips in advance.
According to an official statement from WSDOT, "There is no “good weekend” for closures like these." The statement further emphasizes the urgency of the preservation work, whose success is weather-dependent and therefore must be conducted during specific conditions.
Further making the situation demanding, closures include southbound State Route 167 in Kent between State Route 516/Willis Street and South 277th Street; this is to allow crews to replace bridge joints and resurface the Green River Bridge. In Auburn, eastbound State Route 18 will shut down between C Street Southwest and Auburn Way South because of paving operations. Both of these closures are scheduled in such a way to least disrupt travel, from 11:59 p.m. tomorrow to 4 a.m. on Monday.
Travelers can stay informed by checking travel times on WSDOT's Travel Center map, utilizing their mobile app, or following WSDOT's social media accounts. Alternate travel options are encouraged, including transit systems, park and rides, and Washington State Ferries.
Pierce County will also experience disruptions, with northbound I-5 approaching DuPont closing overnight tomorrow and Saturday so that workers can dismantle temporary structures used to construct a new overpass. Motorists will need to follow detour routes during these periods. WSDOT cautions that all planned construction is contingent on favorable weather and may be subject to rescheduling.
