Don’t plan on any overnight driving Aug. 28-30 during a 5-mile stretch along Interstate 5 between Federal Way and Fife.
The freeway will be closed in both directions by the state Department of Transportation for installation of 10 girders for the new 70th Avenue East Bridge. The work is part of the State Route 167 Completion Project.
Both directions will close between 54th Avenue East in Fife and State Route 18 in Federal Way so crews can safely move cranes on to the highway and lift 10 220-foot-long girders into place.
Lane closures start as early as 8 p.m., with all lanes of I-5 closing at 11 p.m. both Friday and Saturday nights, Aug. 28-29. There is potential for significant backups which is why travelers are asked to avoid the area and reschedule discretionary trips during the times listed below:
Friday, Aug. 28 to Saturday, Aug. 29
• I-5 NB and SB lane closures begin Friday at 8 p.m.
• All lanes closed on I-5 at 11 p.m. between 54th Avenue East in Fife and SR 18 in Federal Way
• Lanes begin reopening Saturday at 8 a.m.
• All lanes reopen by noon Saturday
Saturday, Aug. 29 to Sunday, Aug. 30
• I-5 NB and SB lane closures begin Saturday at 8 p.m.
• All lanes closed on I-5 at 11 p.m. between 54th Ave East in Fife and SR 18 in Federal Way
• Lanes begin reopening Sunday at 8 a.m.
• All lanes reopen by noon Sunday
Detours
Drivers who must travel between Seattle and Olympia during overnight hours of Friday, Aug. 28 and Saturday, Aug. 29 are advised to use SR 18, SR 167, and SR 512, which can accommodate the most traffic. The SR 99 detour provides local access back to I-5. Southbound I-5 travelers headed to downtown Tacoma, Gig Harbor or points beyond will want to consider the SR 99 detour.
Safely lifting loads this large across the highway requires a full closure of I-5 for two separate overnight periods. Please use alternate routes during the following times:
Friday, August 28 and Saturday August 29
I-5 lane closures begin at 8 p.m. on Friday
All lanes of I-5 will close at 11p.m. between 54th Avenue East in Fife and SR 18 in Federal Way
Lanes start to reopen by 8 a.m. Saturday
All lanes will reopen by noon Saturday
Saturday August 29 and Sunday August 30
I-5 lane closures begin at 8 p.m. Saturday
All lanes of I-5 will close at 11 p.m. between 54th Avenue East in Fife and SR 18 in Federal Way
Lanes start to reopen by 8 a.m. Sunday
All lanes will reopen by noon Sunday
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