Freeway Fright ’07, we hardly knew ye

This is it … the final weekday morning of the I-5 work that once swamped us in speculation that West Seattle would be cut off from the rest of the known world. The state still promises it’ll all be over by this time tomorrow; all we’ll have to show for it is a slightly smoother drive on part of 5, and the knowledge we are flexible enough to try alternative means of commuting when we absolutely have to. Next up: “Early work” to shore up part of The Viaduct, though the state’s latest handout materials (page 5) promise that won’t involve lane closures.

Bill August 24, 2007 (9:13 am)

Part of me wishes the last couple weeks would have been a complete fiasco. It might of opened a few more peoples eyes to working out new (or tweaking existing) ideas to replace the viaduct. I’m afraid now that things went pretty smoothly we may end up with more complacency…

Christopher Boffoli August 24, 2007 (9:28 am)

Does anyone know if the newly repaved section of I-5 will feature the extra-quiet asphalt that the state has been testing (on those patches of road on 520 in Kirkland)?

Jan August 24, 2007 (10:52 am)

very true, Bill, very true.

as an aside…there will be some delays as yet undiscussed on Monday afternoon, I understand, as the Prez and his motorcade come to town to go to afundraiser for Dave Reichert on the eastside. We’re so blessed, aren’t we?(she says mildly sarcastically)

Forrest August 24, 2007 (11:44 am)

You’ve got to admit; Seattle can do construction projects very well and quickly when they want to. The newish main library went up in maybe six months.

And then things like the Viaducts and floating bridges, when someone doesn’t make them a priority, can rot on the vine for months at a time.

Greg Phipps August 24, 2007 (12:19 pm)

Hi Jan,

We are not using the asphalt that we’ve been testing on SR 520. Unlike 520 the area of I-5 has large truck traffic volumes, which would put too heavy a pounding on asphalt and decrease its lifespan. The polyester concrete our contractor is using has a longer lifespan and better durability under heavy truck traffic.

Greg Phipps
WSDOT Communications

Christopher Boffoli August 24, 2007 (12:48 pm)

Greg: Christopher here. Not Jan. Thanks for the response. Very nice to know you’re reading the best source for news in West Seattle.

That quiet paving stuff is incredible, especially compared to the rumble strip that is most of I-5.

Mickymse August 24, 2007 (1:26 pm)

Perhaps it will calm some of the WS folk who predict absolute calamity if we don’t replace the AWV with another Viaduct… although I caution folks to take a close look at what the currently planned interchange near the Stadiums looks like, scheduled to begin construction in just two years:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/AFDFE895-BE40-4E1B-ABA3-33921869722E/0/SouthEnd_fs_web_Aug07.pdf

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/2366E5C9-8DA2-4256-A798-4647048DEC8C/0/PioneerSquare_FINAL_boardsv7_Aug07_lowres.pdf