Weeknight I-5 lane, ramp closures start in Thurston County. Here’s why
Travelers should plan ahead for weeknight lane and ramp closures on Interstate 5 in Thurston County starting Thursday night.
The closures will affect parts of I-5 from Olympia and Maytown and will occur overnight from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next day on weeknights, according to a Washington Department of Transportation news release.
Road crews will be working across two separate zones that cover about 12 miles to repair cracks, potholes and ruts in the pavement. This will require grinding down the damaged surfaces and laying a fresh hot mix of asphalt.
Travelers can expect to see several rolling slowdowns as crews move equipment across northbound I-5 to reduce lanes.
“Do not pass construction vehicles during this process,” the release says. “Rolling slowdowns are conducted for the safety of travelers and construction crews.”
Paving work will start on northbound I-5 north of Plum Street in Olympia and south of 93rd Avenue, WSDOT says.
Crews will reduce I-5 to one lane where crews are working. Meanwhile, exit and on-ramps will be closed starting at Tumwater Boulevard Southwest. When exit or on ramps are closed, travelers will be directed to the next closest ramp.
Crews will work on the southbound lanes once the northbound work is complete. WSDOT says the public can expect the work to continue each weeknight.
Work-related noise may be heard by nearby businesses and residents, WSDOT warns.
“Grinding and paving is unavoidably loud,” the release says. “Crews will work quickly and efficiently to minimize disruptions.”
WSDOT has planned for crews to return in late August to add lane markings. However, all of this work is dependent on the weather and may be rescheduled as needed.
“Please slow down and give crews the room they need to repave the highways,” the release says.
The work in Thurston County is part of a regional paving project across seven communities in Kitsap, Mason, Thurston and Pierce counties, according to the WSDOT project website.
The overall project is estimated to cost about $25.8 million and is expected to run through September.
Up-to-date information on construction and other traffic impacts can be found on the WSDOT app and the agency’s online statewide travel map.
This story was originally published July 17, 2025 at 8:52 AM.
