Drivers can expect slowdowns on Interstate 5 in Olympia Thursday. Here’s why
Travelers on Interstate 5 in Olympia should expect slowdowns starting Thursday morning, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
WSDOT plans to close the right lane of southbound I-5 between Henderson Boulevard and U.S. 101. Maintenance teams are scheduled to repair a guardrail from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to a Wednesday news release.
Traffic volumes are expected to be lower during that time period, and WSDOT says work zone signs should be more visible during the day.
“With increases in work zone crashes and risky driving, WSDOT is taking several steps to ensure everyone’s safety in work zones,” the news release says.
In 2022, WSDOT counted six fatal crashes in work zones on state roads. Sixty WSDOT workers have been killed since 1950 and the “vast majority” of them died in work zone crashes, according to a previous news release.
WSDOT advises travelers to slow down in work zones, pay attention to traffic and be kind to workers on the roadway.
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 19, 2023 at 3:01 PM.
