New ‘braided ramp’ is taking shape

WSDOT is making swift progress on a freeway fix known as a “braided ramp.”

The new ramps will separate traffic merging from I-405 and SR 525 to southbound I-5 from traffic exiting southbound I-5 to 196th Street SW. From above, it will look like a braid. It’s hoped these improvements will help reduce congestion and collisions by eliminating lane-weaving. The project is expected to wrap-up in December 2011.

Over the past two months crews have installed a drainage system and two retaining walls.

This soil nail wall will be 782 feet long and will range in height from five to 16 feet.
Another retaining wall, called a soldier pile wall, near the southbound I-5 lanes.
Crews uncovered a huge boulder while excavating for the new roadway.
A new drainage system will treat highway runoff.

Disclaimer: Lynnwood Today editor Mike Murphy is an employee of WSDOT.

  1. “Lynnwood Today editor Mike Murphy is an employee of WSDOT.”

    Ah, hah! That’s how Mike knew such obscure terminology as “soil nail wall” and “soldier pile wall.” 🙂

    Thanks for the photos, Mike. The unearthed boulder looks like a smaller cousin of the ones I find all the time in the soil in my backyard.

  2. Thanks for the photos. I drive by there everyday and was wondering what was going on! Got any info on what’s going in at the old Lynnwood High site? The supe stated that IKEA was NOT going in there.

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