Here’s why drivers should avoid southbound I-5 through Lacey on Saturday

Drivers planning to take southbound Interstate 5 though Lacey on Saturday should prepare themselves for daytime lane closures, the state Department of Transportation announced.

From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, southbound I-5 will be reduced to two lanes approaching the Carpenter Road overpass.

The closures are necessary because crews will take groundwater samples along the road in the area. Periodic groundwater monitoring is needed after a fuel truck rolled over in the area in 2023 and spilled 2,850 gallons of diesel.

Crews will start at 9 a.m. in the right lane and move to the left lane as work progresses, according to WSDOT.

Drivers are asked to travel before or after work hours to avoid backups, or consider rescheduling discretionary trips.

This story was originally published September 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM.