Drivers who use westbound State Route 18 east of Auburn-Black Diamond Road should plan ahead for delays next week.

Washington State Department of Transportation contractor KLB Construction will reduce westbound SR 18 to one lane from 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, to repair an adjacent hillside. WSDOT has been monitoring the area since a debris slide blocked the westbound lanes of SR 18 nearly a year ago.

“Our geotechnical engineers discovered new cracks a few months ago that indicate the potential for movement in the hillside,” said WSDOT Project Engineer Mike Askarian. “It takes time to put together a project like this. We’re doing the work now to complete it prior to the start of winter.”

What drivers should expect

The biggest delays will be during the afternoon commute Monday, Oct. 31.

“This section of SR 18 carries about 27,000 vehicles each weekday, so westbound drivers should be prepared for delays of up to an hour during the afternoon commute on Monday, Oct. 31,” WSDOT Traffic Engineer Mike Swires said.

Drivers should also be prepared for westbound, afternoon delays of up to 30 minutes Sunday, Oct. 30. Only brief delays are expected Friday evening and Saturday.

Drivers should consider alternate routes, including State Route 516 between Covington and Kent.