Construction Starts Tuesday on 5 Miles of Exit Lanes on Highway 18

Construction will begin Tuesday, Sept. 6, on six ramps on a five-mile stretch of State Route 18 between Military Road South and S.E. Auburn-Black Diamond Road.

That is when contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will start repaving, and installing new curbs and guardrails on the exit ramps.

The project is scheduled for completion by late fall. 

“These ramps are in need of some maintenance, and repaving the problem spots will help,” project engineer Hien Trinh said in a WSDOT news release. “When we finish our project, drivers will notice what a difference a smoother roadway makes.” 

Also, signing and striping will change the way vehicles exit from eastbound SR 18 onto C Street S.W. in Auburn. Currently, the left lane has the ability to turn left or right. New signs and striping will change the left lane to a left-turn only. The right lane will remain a right-turn only. This change will help improve traffic flow. 

During construction, drivers can expect nighttime lane and ramp closures. 

WSDOT awarded this $1.18 million repaving project to Tucci & Sons of Tacoma. 

For more information about this project, visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Maintenance/Paving/MilitaryRdtoAuburnBlackDiamondRoad.htm.