Start mentally preparing yourself for this ‘doozy’ of an I-5 closure

It’s never too soon to start preparing for a major upcoming traffic headache, and we have a doozy coming this summer.

Remember how the state has been trying to start eight weekends of lane reductions on I-5 between Marysville and Everett, but have been stymied by the weather? Well, the crews will likely need five or six weekends of similar lane closures and reductions on southbound I-5 between Southcenter and Federal Way.

Related: Why traffic will slow on the Aurora Bridge this week

The state is going to repave all of the lanes this summer. About 13 miles of southbound I-5 will be resurfaced, according to Washington State Department of Transportation spokesperson Travis Phelps. While they’re at it, crews will replace some bridge approach slabs and do some joint work.

Phelps says I-5 will be reduced to two lanes during those weekends to accommodate the work zones.

The project will be a dress rehearsal for 2017. The northbound lanes are next, according to Phelps.

Phelps says the work in the southbound lanes is more than necessary, considering all the ruts and bumps on the freeway.

“This is that area where it’s really really bumpy … going to try and smooth all of that out for ya,” he said.

Expect this work to start in late June or early July and last through August.

Follow @https://twitter.com/newsguysully