Travelers who use on-ramps to Interstate 5 in Lewis County should plan for overnight closures and delays on Thursday, May 1.
Washington state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) contractor crews will close several I-5 on-ramps, one at a time, to complete electrical work for the new ramp meters being installed as part of the I-5 Southwest Parkway Drive to Harrison Avenue ramp meter project.
Ramp meters are traffic signals at highway on-ramps. When traffic is heavy, the ramp meters turn on and allow one vehicle at a time to merge onto the freeway. This helps reduce collisions by 30%, improves safety and keeps traffic moving smoothly, according to a WSDOT news release.
The project, which requires approximately $83 million in funding and began last summer, will be installed between milepost 75.45 in Chehalis to milepost 82.80 in Centralia. Additionally, crews will install variable message signs, traffic cameras and a data station system to improve travel along this nearly 7.5-mile stretch of I-5.
Starting at 7 p.m., on-ramps will close in the following order:
• Southbound: Exit 81 for Mellen Street, Exit 79 for Chamber Way, Exit 77 for Main Street/state Route 6
• Northbound: Exit 76 for Parkland Drive, Exit 77 for Main Street/state Route 6, Exit 79 for Chamber Way
• Southbound: Exit 82 for Harrison Avenue
Each ramp will close for about an hour, and no two ramps will close at the same time. During ramp closures, travelers will need to take a different route. Travelers are reminded to slow down in the work zone, stay alert and expect delays.
