SEATTLE — A rainy season has, so far, delayed the start of an upcoming summer of weekend roadwork on southbound Interstate 5, but an improving forecast for the weekend should allow crews to get started on the project, according to transportation officials.

After rain scuttled work for the last two weekends, the Washington State Department of Transportation announced Tuesday it planned to move forward with lane reductions Friday evening, allowing for expansion joint repairs to start in the left southbound lanes between Interstate 90 and Spokane Street.

"No, it's not Groundhog Day," WSDOT wrote in an update Tuesday. "It's just that we need dry weather to replace 45 expansion joints this year, so we need to work every weekend possible to complete the work. That means scheduling this weather-dependent work earlier in the year than we might in other circumstances, during a time when the weather is more iffy."

The nature of the work prevents crews from being able to move forward when the weather is wet, because it requires specialized polyester concrete that is susceptible to moisture, WSDOT said. So, provided the forecast holds up, drivers can expect to see southbound lane reductions starting around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, and down to a single lane near Spokane Street. All lanes will reopen in time for the Monday morning commute.

Once the aging expansion joints are replaced, drivers should notice a less bumpy ride down the stretch of freeway. The work is tentatively scheduled for most upcoming weekends through the summer, but will not take place during major holidays or the weekend of the University of Washington's graduation ceremonies.

Read more about the project on the WSDOT blog.

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