Project overview
This project repairs and improves the southbound I-5 travel lanes between Blaine and the Nooksack River crossing just south of Ferndale. Along this 10-mile stretch of southbound I-5 in Whatcom County, the freeway lanes, shoulders, and some on- and off-ramp connection points are showing signs of deterioration, including potholes, cracks, and ruts.
Contractor crews working on behalf of WSDOT will remove old pavements and re-pave the southbound lanes, shoulders, and some ramp connections to the freeway where necessary. Additional, new, upgraded guardrail and cable barrier will be installed on the shoulders and center median and upgraded traffic counters in both directions of I-5 between Main Street (mileposts 263) in Ferndale and north of Birch Bay Road (milepost 273) south of Blaine.
What to expect
During the construction phases of work, several different traffic control measures will be used to ensure the safety of both the workers and the public. These measures include:
- Lane Closures: Full-width lane closures and lane shifts are required for pavement repair and paving work. Lane closures are also required for guardrail and cable barrier installation in both northbound and southbound directions. Lane closures will only be allowed from 8pm to 5am, Sunday evening through Friday morning. Speed limit reduction to 55mph will be in place for all lane shifts.
- Shoulder Closures: Shoulder closures are required for traffic counter installation. Shoulder closures for southbound I-5 will be allowed during daylight hours 8am to 4pm – or – nighttime hours 7pm to 5am, Sunday morning through Friday morning.
- Ramp Closures and Detours: When southbound on- or off-ramps are ready for paving, the contractor will set up detours using alternate routes to access and exit I-5. Most detours will require drivers to continue past their exit and take the next exit to turn around and return to their desired exit. Some detours will use city or county roadways around the construction work. Contractors will notify drivers at least one week in advance using variable message signs and construction signs. Detour signs will be installed to guide drivers to alternate access points. Ramp closures with detours will only be allowed from 9pm to 5am, Sunday evening through Friday morning.
