On Tuesday, WSDOT bridge maintenance crews will close southbound I-5 at Exit 22 for Dike Access Road just north of Woodland, to check the condition of the bridge using a chain drag test
WOODLAND – Travelers on southbound Interstate 5 in Cowlitz County should plan for a full closure of the highway.
On Tuesday, May 6, Washington State Department of Transportation bridge maintenance crews will close southbound I-5 at Exit 22 for Dike Access Road just north of Woodland, to check the condition of the bridge using a chain drag test.
During testing, crews will pull a chain across the concrete surface and listen for changes in sound. A dull or hollow sound can mean the concrete is coming apart underneath. A clear, ringing sound means it’s strong and in good condition. These inspections help make sure the bridge is safe and structurally sound.
To reduce delays, travelers will follow a short detour using the off- and on-ramps at Exit 22.
What to expect
- Tuesday, May 6: All southbound lanes of I-5 will close between mileposts 24-22 at Dike Access Road, between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
- Note: A second closure of southbound I-5 may be needed to give crews more time to inspect the entire bridge deck.
For everyone’s safety, travelers should slow down through the work zone, stay alert, and follow directions from the maintenance crew.
Know before you go
Get real-time travel information via the WSDOT mobile app, the real-time travel map, or by signing up for email updates and alerts.
Also read:
- Opinion: Interstate Bridge replacement – the forever project
Joe Cortright argues the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project could bring tolling and traffic disruptions on I-5 through the mid-2040s. - Opinion: Oversized tires and the frequency illusion
Doug Dahl explains why tires that extend beyond fenders are illegal and how frequency illusion shapes perceptions about traffic safety. - Opinion: IBR’s systematic disinformation campaign, its demise
Neighbors for a Better Crossing challenges IBR’s seismic claims and promotes a reuse-and-tunnel alternative they say would save billions at the I-5 crossing. - Opinion: Is a state income tax coming, and the latest on the I-5 Bridge project
Rep. John Ley shares a legislative update on a proposed state income tax, the I-5 Bridge project, the Brockmann Campus and House Bill 2605. - Board authorizes C-TRAN to sign off on Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s SEIS
The C-TRAN Board approved the Final SEIS for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, with Camas and Washougal opposing the vote over light rail cost concerns.
wpDiscuz
