The infamous freeway weave on southbound I-5 in Lynnwood is no more.
Sunday morning, the new ramp and tunnel to the 196th exits opened to traffic. It’s hoped the new ramp will eliminate last-minute lane weaving that was created when cars merged from I-405 and SR 525 to southbound I-5 and 196th.
The new ramp exits I-5 one mile earlier and travels through a short tunnel to 196th. This is the last of three reconfigured ramps to open at the Swamp Creek interchange. Morning commuters are expected to benefit the most.
“We’re very happy to get these ramps open,” said Project Engineer Janice Fahning. “We appreciate drivers’ continued patience as we continue working the next two weeks to finish paving I-5. By the end of October, the commute through the Lynnwood area should be much smoother.”
Now that all the ramps are open, crews will restripe I-5 to shift traffic lanes back into their normal configuration and repave the freeway near the I-405 interchange. That work is expected to wrap up early this fall.
Photo by Bill Gillam.
This photo looks like it was taken by the driver. Just a thought…Next time you are trying to take a picture have a passenger do it for you. If I’m wrong I appologize.
Too bad Community Transit has decided to run Bus 417 down Highway 99 starting next February, instead of using this new on ramp.
Huh? Untangled??? The traffic has been 10 times worse coming from 405 northbound onto I-5 southbound. I had great hopes for this, but so far it has been nothing but a disaster.
I think once people get used to it, the traffic will go smoother.