Hundreds of drivers were seemingly caught by surprise this morning as this major arterial was reduced to one lane with flaggers directing traffic at the intersections.
There were significant backups this morning for Vista Drive and Portal Way traffic looking to cross or get on Grandview Road. In addition, traffic already on Grandview Road was backed up from Vista Drive to the west and all the way back to the freeway from Portal Way to the east. Adjacent roads quickly filled with drivers seeking routes around the congestion.
According to signage in the area, this project is expected to impact traffic until late August. Not much more is known at this time as we await details from the contractor and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). This article will be updated when more information is available.
UPDATE 9am
WSDOT clarified this is a chip seal project, one of many around the county this summer creating single-lane closures on local highways. Work is expected to happen on weekdays between 7am and 6pm with occasional night work on weekdays between 10pm and 5am. The contractor will be putting down chip seal (crushed rock with liquid asphalt) along the roadway.
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Click for more informationAnswers are being sought about how long to expect an impact to traffic and whether the project will be rolling west on Grandview Road.
UPDATE 9:30am
Per the contractor and WSDOT, the project crew will move west on Grandview Road today from Portal Way towards N Star Road. A single-lane closure will be in effect in work area as it makes its way west. This work is expected to be nearly completed today. The project crew will then head north on Blaine Road from Grandview Road.
Besides today’s traffic impact, workers will require single-lane closures to apply seal one day next week and to paint permanent striping another day in a week or two after that. No specific dates have been scheduled yet for the follow up work.