Traffic backs up as road work partially closes I-5, U.S. 101 ramp in Olympia Thursday
Road work delayed traffic on Interstate 5 and the ramp to U.S. 101 in Olympia on Thursday.
Work crews closed the right lane of southbound I-5 starting at 7:30 a.m. north of milepost 105, approaching Henderson Boulevard. The right lane of the on-ramp from southbound I-5 to U.S. 101 was closed as well.
The Washington State Department of Transportation said they expect the closure to last until 3 p.m. Thursday, according to a news release. They described the road work as a multi-crew cleanup that includes guardrail repair, sweeping, vegetation management and litter removal.
The ramp from Henderson Boulevard to southbound I-5 and access to U.S. 101 remained open, according to the release.
WSDOT advises travelers to slow down in work zones, pay attention to traffic, stay calm and be kind to workers on the roadway.
In a separate news release, WSDOT asked the public to wear orange on Wednesday, April 19, during National Work Zone Awareness Week.
In 2022, WSDOT counted six fatal crashes in work zones on state roads. Washington State Patrol said most work zone collisions can be attributed to following too closely, excessive speed and inattention.
State data indicates about 95% of those killed in work zone crashes were drivers, their passengers or nearby pedestrians, according to the release.
Sixty WSDOT workers have been killed since 1950, the release says, and the “vast majority” of them died in work zone crashes.
The public can see real-time traffic information on the WSDOT statewide travel map, the WSDOT app and WSDOT regional Twitter account.
This story was originally published April 13, 2023 at 9:37 AM.
