Southbound I-5 in SW Washington could face 90-minute delays on Friday

The Washington State Department of Transportation has reduced southbound traffic on I-5 near Woodland to two lanes for a 50-day project, causing up to a 90-minute delay, and recommends drivers plan to travel outside of peak hours to avoid delays.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Those traveling southbound on I-5 in Southwest Washington on Friday may want to queue up a podcast, because drivers could face up to a 90-minute delay near Woodland.

The Washington State Department of Transportation started construction on Monday, July 22 and reduced southbound traffic to two lanes for a 50-day project on the North Fork Lewis River Bridge.

Officials say drivers should plan to travel outside of peak hours to avoid delays. The best time to travel in the area can be found on the North Fork Lewis River Bridge project page.

And if drivers do travel during peak hours, WSDOT recommends “filling the gas tank or charging electric vehicles and packing drinking water” in case of major delays.

“Travelers should obey message signs that direct non-local and freight traffic to stay on the interstate and avoid using local city and county streets to detour around construction as delays are often more significant,” according to WSDOT.

The project is expected to wrap up in mid-September.