No alternate routes available for freight traffic
Travelers using southbound Interstate 5 through Woodland should expect up to 90 minutes of delay during Friday afternoon and evening and should delay travel or prepare for additional travel time.
Beginning Monday, July 22, Washington State Department of Transportation contractor crews reduced three lanes of southbound I-5 to two narrow lanes around-the-clock for the 50-day bridge rehabilitation project at the North Fork Lewis River Bridge near Woodland.
Travelers should obey message signs that direct non-local and freight traffic to stay on the interstate and avoid using local city and county streets to detour around construction as delays are often more significant.
Construction delays
Southbound I-5 is reduced to two lanes 24/7 until mid-September
- Between 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Friday, July 26, travelers should expect 70-90 extra minutes of travel time on southbound I-5 near Woodland.
- Travelers are asked to travel off-peak hours to avoid delays.
- Freight and non-local traffic should not exit the interstate to use local city and county routes as vehicles are getting stuck on roads with steep grades and tight turns.
- If traveling during peak traffic hours, be prepared for significant delays and consider filling the gas tank or charging electric vehicles and packing drinking water.
Travel charts indicating the best times to travel can be found on the North Fork Lewis River Bridge project website under the “Maps and Drawings” tab.
Travelers are reminded to slow down, use caution, stay focused, and expect delays in the work zone until project completion in mid-September.
Know before you go
People can receive real-time travel information via the WSDOT mobile app, or by visiting our real-time travel map.
Also read:
- Opinion: IBR still holding and lying about coming billions in cost overruns
Joe Cortright argues that Interstate Bridge Replacement officials are deliberately delaying the release of an updated cost estimate that he says could push the project toward $10 billion. - Letter: A call for competent Interstate Bridge project management
Rick Vermeers argues that unchecked scope, rising costs, and missed timelines threaten the survival of the Interstate Bridge Replacement project unless light rail is removed. - Rep. John Ley introduces bill to balance representation on Washington transportation boards
Legislation introduced by Rep. John Ley seeks to change how transportation board seats are allocated and prevent funding penalties tied to population-based representation rules. - Opinion: IBR administrator receives generous Christmas gift on his way out the door
Ken Vance argues that IBR leadership avoided accountability on rising project costs as Administrator Greg Johnson announced his departure without providing updated estimates. - Update: Belkot’s legal team submits sheriff’s report to its case against Clark County Council
Michelle Belkot’s legal challenge against the Clark County Council advanced after a sheriff’s report alleging rule violations was accepted into evidence.
