@wsdot
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@wsdot Ok, everyone. It’s go time. As we wrap up a full weekend closure of NB I-5 by 5 a.m. Monday morning, we want to help you prepare for tomorrow’s commute and for what comes next: Today and tonight, crews are finishing the work needed to set the workzone so that they can work safely and you can travel safely while major preservation work is underway. We’ve got pavement curing, final striping, new signage, installing barrels and debris barriers, and sweeping and cleanup. This is what it takes to move from a full closure to a long-term work zone that will carry traffic every day. Starting Monday morning, this new traffic pattern is the reality. And while this phase runs into early June, it’s also part of a longer year where I-5 travel will be challenging. Here’s what we want you to think about before your alarm goes off Monday: -Can you take an alternate route, even a few days a week? -Can you adjust your schedule slightly to avoid peak hours? -Is transit an option for part or all of your trip? -Can you give yourself extra time so the drive feels less stressful? And yes, this might be the moment to download that audiobook, line up a new podcast, or finally catch up on something you’ve been meaning to listen to. A key reminder: the express lanes will operate northbound only to help balance traffic through the system. That also means southbound travelers will feel the pinch, especially during commute hours. There’s no sugarcoating that capacity is reduced, and traffic will be slower. This work is about preserving a critical corridor that carries hundreds of thousands of people and goods every day. It’s necessary, and it’s complex and we know it impacts real lives and real routines. Thank you for planning ahead, staying alert in the work zone, and giving our crews the space they need to do this work safely. We’ll keep sharing what to expect, what’s changing, and how to navigate it as best as possible.
