Road construction season is back, and it could clog travel to and from ocean beaches
Repaving of state Route 8, between Elma and Mud Bay in west Olympia, could begin as early as the middle of this month, the state Department of Transportation announced, and lanes on the highway will be closed to do the work.
The $7.26 million project, which will begin on SR 8 then shift to state Route 108 near McCleary in Grays Harbor County, is expected to last until fall.
The repaving will cover the cracks, wheel ruts and asphalt patches that mark sections of the two state highways, WSDOT officials said in a news release.
As early as May 15, WSDOT’s contractor, Tucci & Sons of Tacoma, will begin closing lanes on eastbound SR 8 between U.S. 12 in Grays Harbor County and U.S. Hwy. 101 in Thurston County.
Travelers will experience day and night single-lane closures, according to WSDOT. Once the eastbound sections are complete, crews will work on westbound SR 8 near U.S. 101. Travelers can expect left lane closures in areas of the highway between U.S. 101 and Winslow Drive Southwest, WSDOT officials say.
Later, crews will start work on SR 108 in McCleary. Crews will resurface a half-mile section of SR 108 one direction at a time, followed by a temporary closure of the intersection of SR 8 and SR 108.
This story was originally published May 2, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
