![Travelers should expect up to 12 hours of delays on northbound Interstate 5 near La Center due to the closure of a lane for bridge maintenance, prompting the need for off-peak travel and caution from drivers.](https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Large_Clark-County-Today-I-5-North-Bridge-Replacement-East-Fork-Lewis-River-04.jpg)
On Fri., July 7, Washington State Department of Transportation’s bridge maintenance crews will close a single lane along the northbound span of the East Fork Lewis River
LA CENTER – Travelers heading northbound on Interstate 5 near La Center should plan for up to 12 hours of delays through the La Center and Ridgefield area later this week.
On Friday, July 7, Washington State Department of Transportation’s bridge maintenance crews will close a single lane along the northbound span of the East Fork Lewis River, located approximately three miles south of Woodland near milepost 18.21, in Clark County, to install steel plates beneath the right travel lane of the bridge deck.
What to expect:
- Friday, July 7, the right lane of northbound I-5 and right shoulder will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., reducing three travel lanes down to two lanes along the bridge.
- Travelers should plan travel during off-peak hours to avoid delays.
Installing these steel plates will strengthen the bridge and prevent weight restrictions for freight travel until permanent repairs can be made.
To ensure the safety of everyone, it is important for drivers to remain attentive, reduce their speed, and, when possible, provide road crews with ample space by changing lanes.
Know before you go
People can receive real-time travel information via the WSDOT mobile app, the real-time travel map, or by following us on Twitter.
Also read:
- Opinion: Hiding the growing cost of the Interstate Bridge replacementJoe Cortright of the City Observatory addresses the rising cost of the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement project.
- 90 minutes of delay on Southbound I-5 in Southwest Washington on Friday afternoon, July 26Travelers 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.
- Nighttime paving work on I-5 and SR 14 in Clark County July 28-Aug. 9Nighttime travelers in Clark County should expect delays for maintenance and paving work beginning Sunday, July 28 until the morning of Friday, Aug. 9. 
- Northeast 182nd Avenue/Northeast Ward Road to be closed on Aug. 1Northeast 182nd Avenue and Northeast 172nd Avenue in Clark County will have single-day closures on August 1 and August 5 for road preservation, with detours in place.
- Interstate Bridge Replacement program awarded $1.499 billion FHWA Bridge Investment Program grantInterstate Bridge Replacement program officials have shared that the program received $1.499 billion through the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Investment Program.