A tall crane has been splitting the north and southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in the medium as an overpass is being constructed to handle the expected increase in traffic with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s ilani Casino Resort opens this next spring.
A bus travels across the current bridge next to the new overpass under construction. The current bridge will be torn down as soon as the new one is functional this spring.
Construction crews worked 11 p.m. to 4 p.m. all through last week building the framework for the new Interstate 5 overpass.
It’s been hard to miss the construction of the ilani Casino Resort right off of Interstate 5 at La Center to the west, especially last week when the work made its way to the Exit 16 overpass.
For six straight days last week construction of a new bridge occurred directly above the I-5 lanes for girders to be installed overhead. The framework for the new bridge is now visible and sits beside the currently existing one just a few feet south.
Construction of the bridge was done during late evening and early morning hours to keep any traffic disruptions to a minimum.
La Center Mayor Greg Thornton said he did not receive any complaints regarding the construction.
The interchange improvement project is a private investment being done by the Ilani Casino Resort. The casino project, which is estimated to cost $500 million, is not funded at all by the city of La Center.
“The funds are all private and no taxpayer money will be used, even for overruns,” according to a statement from the tribe.
The $32 million project will not only meet current needs, but will also provide safe and efficient access on and off the exit to meet the anticipated growth in traffic when the resort opens, expected this spring.
The current bridge was built in 1969 and is a narrow two lanes. The new overpass will be four lanes with room for bicyclists and pedestrians.
To ensure the new roads meet regulations set in place by the state and federal government, the tribe has been working closely with the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.
When the project is completed this spring, the original bridge will be torn down. Upcoming work on the bridge includes multi-lane roundabouts to be constructed on both sides of the freeway, allowing for exiting or entering cars to go in any direction. The northbound off ramp will be lengthened and will have two exit lanes. The southbound on ramp will become two lanes that transition into one before engaging with the interstate.
Drivers can expect temporary detours during some late night hours and some temporary loop ramps.
“There’s still a significant amount of construction to be done,” said Thornton, adding the project is on schedule.
As the holiday season approaches, project coordinators will keep construction to a minimum. No lane closures are allowed on a holiday or holiday weekend, but there can be work before noon on a day prior to a holiday or holiday weekend, along with construction after 9 a.m. the day after holidays and holiday weekends.
Updates of detours and road closures can be found at www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts/SouthWest.aspx. WSDOT’s Twitter account regularly posts up-to-the-second information.
