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:
- WA and OR scale back I-5 Bridge ambitions as cost balloons
A $14.4 billion price tag prompts Washington and Oregon leaders to delay portions of the I-5 bridge project and prioritize just the main spans. - Letter: ‘Now we have Engineer Bob telling us the I-5 Bridge needs replacing because it is built on shifting sand with wooden structures’
Amboy resident Thomas Schenk critiques Democrat leadership, tax policies, and the addition of light rail to the I-5 Bridge, while urging Republican voters to participate more in midterm elections. - The I-5 Bridge is vulnerable to collapse, but apparently not that vulnerable
State leaders and Vancouver’s mayor warn about bridge safety, but insist it’s safe enough for daily use as they focus on moving forward with a costly replacement including light rail—despite decades of public resistance. - Opinion: ‘This is not the best and most efficient use of the taxpayers’ funds’
Ken Vance critiques the announced $14.4 billion I-5 Bridge replacement, questioning funding gaps, the insistence on light rail, unaddressed congestion, and transparency from state officials. - Cost for IBR’s total project ‘most likely’ to be $14.4 billion
Washington’s governor committed to a light rail bridge across the Columbia River, prioritizing the $7.65 billion initial phase while sidestepping the full project’s $14.4 billion price tag.
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