Construction ‘island’ being removed from I-5 in Tacoma
A so-called “construction island” on Interstate 5 through Tacoma is slated to be removed in time for the early Thursday commute, the Washington Department of Transportation reported.
The island has separated southbound I-5 traffic from a work zone where crews have been replacing the freeway’s surface as part of a project to repair worn pavement and widen the road in anticipation of future HOV lanes.
It has necessitated a reconfiguration of ramp locations for access between southbound I-5 and state Route 16, South 38th Street and I-705.
“Removing the island will return southbound I-5 and its ramp locations to their customary configuration,” the DOT reported in a news release Wednesday.
The island’s removal will require lane restrictions and ramp closures late Wednesday and early Thursday, including closure of the exit from southbound I-5 to South 38th Street and westbound Route 16 from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. Thursday.
It is weather dependent. Rain might delay the work until the next dry night.
Adam Lynn: 253-597-8644, @TNTAdam
This story was originally published June 22, 2016 at 2:47 PM with the headline "Construction ‘island’ being removed from I-5 in Tacoma."