Crews To Closing Right Southbound I-5 Lane at Nisqually River Bridge

The Interstate 5 Nisqually River Bridges will receive a much-needed facelift this summer and next as crews work to repaint their steel trusses and decks.

Crews will work first on the southbound bridge, where throughout the summer motorists can expect single- and double-lane closures during night hours. Some northbound I-5 lane closures will also occur for materials delivery and other construction activities.

From 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. nightly through Saturday, crews will close the right southbound I-5 lane and shoulder at the bridge. Their first task will be to set up a rigging and containment system on the bridge. The containment system will catch old paint and other debris that will be removed from the bridge in preparation for painting. Once the steel is clean and painting begins, the containment system will also protect the waterway and vehicles from paint spray.

When work on the southbound bridge is completed, crews will move to the northbound bridge and repeat the process. Because painting is weather-dependent, most of the work on the northbound bridge is expected to take place during the summer of 2014.

Drivers can check travel conditions by downloading the WSDOT mobile app, visiting the Olympic Region Construction and Traffic Updates page, or by dialing 5-1-1.

-Washington State Department of Transportation