Four new expansion joints are in place on the northbound Interstate 5 Ebey Slough Bridge in Marysville and another weekend of the #SnoCoSqueeze is in the books. But with up to three more weekends of work to go, expected delays through the area aren’t over yet.
Drivers need to plan for backups during the week as contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation continue to chip out old expansion joints on the Ebey Slough Bridge.
Narrow lanes on I-5, SR 529 ramp changes in place
- Three narrow lanes are open and shifted to the right.
- The speed limit is reduced to 45 mph.
- The State Route 529 on-ramp to northbound I-5 is reconfigured so drivers merge directly onto I-5 rather than having their own dedicated lane.
- This configuration will be in place through at least Tuesday, May 10.
Weekday commute starts early, lasts longer
The northbound I-5 afternoon commute Friday, April 29, started earlier and lasted longer than normal. Backups reached more than 12 miles, stretching to south Everett. Traffic congestion didn’t ease until after 9 p.m. Drivers also ran into congestion on alternate routes including SR 529 and State Route 9.
Weekend drivers experienced backups Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1, of more than 5 miles, with heavy traffic lasting through 9 p.m. each night on northbound I-5 from Everett to Marysville.
“Drivers should plan for similar backups and delays this week on SR 529, SR 9 and the city streets in Everett and Marysville,” said WSDOT Traffic Engineer Mike Swires. “Traffic volumes tend to stay heavy well into the evening, so delaying non-essential trips is a great way to avoid peak congestion.”
Weekend lane reductions May 7-8
The third of up to six weekends for northbound expansion-joint replacement is scheduled from 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 6, until 5 a.m. Monday, May 9.
- Only one lane will be open overnight Friday, May 6, and again overnight Sunday, May 8.
- Two narrow lanes will be open Saturday and Sunday, May 7 – 8, as crews replace the decades-old joints on the left side of the Ebey Slough Bridge.
- The on-ramp from SR 529 to northbound I-5 will be closed.
Tools to plan your weekend commute strategies
- A Snohomish County area traffic map is available online with real time traffic cameras and travel times.
- Weekend travel updates will be available on WSDOT’s Facebook page.
- WSDOT’s mobile app offers information for travelers on the go.
- @wsdot_traffic will provide updates about this project using the hashtag #SnoCoSqueeze.
- The What’s Happening Now page chronicles closures and issues affecting travelers.
- Consider carpooling and other commute and travel choices.
Helpful links to learn more:
- Expansion joints: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/UnionSteamboatEbeyBridgeRpr/default.htm
- Traffic map: www.wsdot.com/traffic/cameras/marysville.aspx
- WSDOT’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/wsdot
- Mobile app: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Inform/mobile.htm
- @wsdot_traffic: www.twitter.com/wsdot_traffic
- What’s Happening Now: www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/pugetsound/today.htm
- Commute and travel choices: www.wsdot.wa.gov/choices/
May 4, 2016
Everett