An experiment to squelch the sound of rubber tires slapping on pavement is about to start on southbound I-5 in Lynnwood.
The first patch of 1.8 miles of “quiet” pavement was scheduled to be installed on southbound I-5 Friday night. The rest should be installed tonight and on Sunday night.
The specialized pavement is being laid along I-5 from the I-405 intersection to 44th Avenue W. The work marks the southern tip of the state’s ongoing $8 million paving project on southbound I-5.
The paving project, from Highway 526 to 44th Avenue W., should be all but finished after this weekend.
The quieter pavement is expected to reduce freeway noise by 3 decibels, a slight but noticeable difference.
“The goal is to figure out if this stuff works in the Northwest,” said Travis Phelps, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.
Quiet pavement involves adding recycled rubber tires or other forms of rubber into asphalt to help absorb tire noise, Phelps said. It’s used in the Southwest and in California, where temperatures are typically much warmer.
“They don’t have the same amount of rain, snow, and freeze and thaws that we have,” he said.
Those states also forbid the use of studded tires.
Phelps said the test will measure how much of a noise reduction there is and determine the durability of the material.
The quiet-pavement part of the project will cost $600,000, Phelps said.
Commuters used to southbound I-5 closures in recent weeks can expect similar closures this weekend.
Up to three lanes will be closed on southbound I-5 tonight and on Sunday night from I-405 to 44th Avenue W. The first lane closure starts at 8 p.m., the second at 10 p.m. and the third by midnight.
All lanes will open by 9 a.m. Sunday and by 5 a.m. Monday.
Reporter Lukas Velush: 425-339-3449 or lvelush@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
