The heavy fog that has blanketed much of south Snohomish County during overnight hours the past couple of weeks has hindered work crews as they try to put the finishing touches on the $5.356 million I-5 repaving project begun on May 20.

The re-paving work of I-5 and overpasses from 52nd Avenue West in Lynnwood to the King-Snohomish County line is complete; crews have also finished much of the curb re-construction and lane striping in the construction zone. What remains is more striping work, particularly to right-side fog line on southbound I-5 and lane striping on some of the freeway overpasses.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reported on Thursday that dampness from the heavy fog is preventing the lane striping work from occurring. “The fog-related damp pavement makes it hard for the striping to adhere to the new pavement, and limited visibility creates a safety hazard for work crews,” a WSDOT news release stated.

While WSDOT is hopefully some of the remaining work will be completed this week, the agency has already announced that lane closures in the work zone will continue intermittently during the overnight hours next week. Drivers can expect to encounter one lane of southbound I-5 closed at times from 52nd Avenue West to Northeast 195th Street in King County, single lanes of 220th Street Southwest both eastbound and westbound, and the on- and off-ramps of I-5 to and from 220th Street Southwest. Only one closure will occur at a time, WSDOT promises.