Freeway panels: bump and grind

Things that go bump in the night
Photo courtesy WSDOT

WSDOT says, that "Lately, we’ve received a few questions from drivers asking why they experience a bump when driving over the new concrete panels on I-5 between Shoreline and Northgate.

"First of all, let me assure you that it’s temporary. After the panels are installed, we plan to grind all the lanes and that will remove the bumpiness and roughness. Because we’re doing the panel replacement work during overnight lane closures to reduce the impact on drivers, the contractor crews have a very short amount of time to close lanes, remove the old panels, and pour new concrete. 

"In order to get the lanes open in time for the morning commute, they’re using a quick-setting concrete. It sets so quickly, that there’s not enough time to smooth the new panels so they’re flush with the other panels. The grinding will take care of that. We hope to start grinding within the next few weeks and the entire project should be done in the spring."

And now you know.