Motorists in South Thurston County will soon see new signs on Interstate 5 designating 11 miles as a no parking/tow-away zone, according to a press release from the Washington State Department of Transportation.
The signs are scheduled to be installed later this week.
The designated zones will allow Washington State Patrol troopers to immediately remove vehicles parked or abandoned on highway shoulders. Without the no parking/tow-away designation, WSP troopers have to wait 24 hours before removing vehicles. The WSP can start to enforce the new restrictions as soon as signs are posted, stated the release.
The intent of the zones is to reduce the potential for collisions by quickly removing vehicles that could pose a potential hazard on highway shoulders. It also reduces motorist distractions and frees the shoulders for use by emergency responders.
The 11-mile segment extends from milepost 97.05 near 113 Avenue SW to milepost 85.51 at the Lewis County line. The designation will close a gap between already existing tow-away zones on I-5 that continue north to state Route 531 in Snohomish County and south to Centralia. The restriction will also apply to the southbound I-5 exit to the Maytown Rest Area near milepost 93.4.
Drivers whose vehicles break down in tow-away zones are advised to immediately arrange for the vehicles to be towed, or risk their vehicles being impounded, stated the press release.
