Avoid Olympia, Wa. (I-5) this weekend and next...

[Ultralife]

WSDOT has warned of multiple lane closures on I-5 this weekend and the next thru Olympia especially the 101 interchange due to expansion joint replacement. Back-ups will be extensive especially during midday hours!

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/09/10/3371895/i-5-construction-expect-traffic.html?sp=/99/289/&ihp=1

[paulj]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/sets/72157645617665014/
Pictures from a similar expansion joint replacement on I90 earlier this summer. Then they closed the bridge entirely.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/sets/72157646837491301/
Start of an album for this I5 replacement. This is a narrower joint.

traffic and web cam
Saturday pm - traffic is light and backups minimal.

[Roy_Lynne]

The problem with that section of I5 is there is no good alternative except via the little towns of Yelm, McKenna and Roy, a two lane road that gets really crowded whenever there is a closure between Tacoma and Olympia. If your in a hurry, stay on I5, but if your coming north exit at Hwy 507 and head toward to Tenino, then continue on 507 to Hwy 7 (Roy Y) and that will take you to Hwy 512 where you can pick up I5 again.

[jamesu]

Just another day of driving on I-5 somewhere between Lacey and Smokey Point. The described Olympia backup is planned, but you just never know when or where the next spontaneous, 5 mile backup will occur. Puget Sound transportation is long past broke.

[wcjeep]

It's for the next two weekends. Figures.

[paulj]

http://wsdot.wa.gov/News/2014/09/8_ReminderOfI5WeekendClosures.htm

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/TumwaterBlvdGravellyLkDrPaving/BridgeJointI5LaneClosure.htm