Heavy congestion anticipated on Interstate 5 in Thurston County during Monday-Tuesday, with significant traffic delays expected.
Hot Mess on Southbound I-5 near Grand Mound:
Whoa, buckle up, daytime drivers! You might run into a seven-mile jam on the southern stretch of Interstate 5 approaching Grand Mound in Thurston County this Monday and Tuesday, as per the Washington State Department of Transportation.
What's going down? WSDOT maintenance squads are planning to cut the southbound I-5 down to one lane, and they're on a mission to smooth out those pesky potholes and fill in road gaps. The lane restriction starts at the Highway 12 ramp towards southbound I-5, goes all the way to the Lewis County line.
The work meets the daylight from 6 a.m. to noon on both days. WSDOT offers these friendly tips to motorists:
- If you've got a nondental appointment or can postpone your shopping spree, go ahead and reschedule your discretionary trips.
- If possible, travel before or after work hours to avoid the gridlock.
- Give yourself an extra two hours for travel time.
- Make sure your car's gas tank is topped off, or keep your vehicle's juice charged up.
The weather's on our side, with forecast highs of 74 and 75 degrees on Monday and Tuesday, as reported by the National Weather Service. The warm, dry conditions should help the maintenance crew work their magic.
The repairs are targeted at slowing down the rate of decay on the road, WSDOT reveals.
Now, here's the deal; the I-5/US 12 interchange is also dealing with some lane closures, but it's not connected to the current Grand Mound situation.
By the way, if you're curious, we've got other juicy local stories cooking, like:
- Northern lights might make a rare appearance in Seattle this Sunday.
- Flooding could force South Park's residents to pack up.
- The struggle to enhance involuntary treatment in Washington.
- A new WSU president rapidly undoing past decisions.
- Watch as humanity pushes the Columbia, the Northwest's great river, to its limits.
Stick with us for more updates, and let's keep the road vibes positive!
© 2025 Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Wash.). Visit www.tri-cityherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
- The weather in Seattle, Washington state, is expected to reach highs of 74 and 75 degrees during the upcoming downpour maintenance work on Interstate 5 near Grand Mound.
- While the lane closures at the I-5/US 12 interchange and the road repairs in Grand Mound are unrelated, residents should be aware of the impact on transportation in the Thurston County area this Monday and Tuesday.
- The industry of transportation in Washington state is relying on the maintenance crew's efforts to slow down the rate of decay on the road and ensure a smoother journey for motorists.
- Meanwhile, Seattle residents and local news enthusiasts might find interest in stories like the potential appearance of the northern lights, possible flooding in South Park, changes in involuntary treatment policies, a new WSU president's decisions, and the pressing issues surrounding the Columbia River's health.
