Odd noises at night? The I-5 concrete rehab update

I-5 Northgate to Shoreline concrete rehab update from WSDOT

Our contractor on the I-5: NE 117th to SR 104 concrete rehabilitation project continues to make progress. Right now, they are working on the noisiest part of the rehab – grinding the concrete.

Concrete grinding is unavoidably loud, and it’s difficult to dampen the noise since it’s a moving operation. The grinding removes a thin top layer of concrete to reduce wheel ruts and reveal a new surface that provides better traction.

This section of I-5 is 50-years-old. It was only intended to last 25 years before replacement began. Since we don’t have the funding to replace it, grinding is the best technology we have to extend the interstate’s lifespan.

Our tentative schedule looks like this:

• By March 27: we estimate they’ll be complete with the northbound section between Northeast 145th and Northeast 175th.
• Late March/early April: tentatively scheduled to be working northbound between 175th and the King-Snohomish County line.
• Mid to late April: northbound lanes and ramps complete. Work then begins in the southbound lanes.
• Late summer: southbound lane grinding complete.

This is a general timeframe that could be affected by weather and other factors. For those of you who live near I-5, you’ll likely hear the grinding machines for a couple nights before the sound fades away and this may occur a couple times.

This work must be done at night to reduce traffic congestion. This section of I-5 carries more than 180,000 vehicles each day.  Contractor crews need to close several lanes to provide room to work and keep the workers safe. Closing several lanes of I-5 during the day would create massive congestion and delays.

For those of you living near this project, we apologize for the noise and appreciate your understanding. We have earplugs available. Please email Kris Olsen and she’ll mail them to you right away.