WSDOT Announces Post-Thanksgiving I-5 Closure In Tacoma

Puyallup WA

23 November, 2021

3:15 PM

Description

TACOMA, WA — The Washington State Department of Transportation is warning late-night commuters to prepare for an upcoming I-5 closure in Tacoma. According to WSDOT, construction on the new East L Street overpass requires that their crews close lanes on I-5 overnight from Dec. 2-4. The closures include a full closure of southbound I-5 Thursday, Dec. 2, followed by a full closure of northbound lanes the next few nights. During that time, WSDOT says drivers should strongly consider finding alternate routes through the area. Here's a look at how the closures will work: Thursday, Dec. 2 Several I-5 southbound lanes will be closed starting at 8 p.m. approaching the Puyallup River Bridge.SR 167's on-ramp to I-5 southbound will close at 9 p.m., reopening at 5 a.m. the next morning.At 11 p.m., all lanes of southbound I-5 will close. They will reopen at 4 a.m. Friday. During the closure, traffic will be rerouted along a signed detour along SR 509, and I-705.Friday, Dec. 3 I-5 lanes will begin closing northbound at South 38th Street starting at 11:30 p.m., as will the northbound exit to Portland Avenue.Eastbound Sr 16's HOV lane to northbound I-5 will be closed from 11:30 p.m. through 5:30 a.m. Saturday.At midnight, all of northbound I-5 will close. During the closure, drivers will be detoured to I-705 and SR 509.Saturday, Dec. 4 Lane closures will begin at 11 p.m. on northbound I-5 approaching South 38th Street.The Portland Avenue exit will close at 11:30 p.m., reopening by 7 a.m. Sunday.Eastbound Sr 16's HOV lane to northbound I-5 will be closed from 11 p.m. through 8 a.m. Sunday.During the closures, WSDOT is asking drivers who travel between Seattle and Olympia overnight to find alternate routes through the area, slow down, and allow extra time for congestion.