Drivers in the Auburn area will feel a smoother ride this fall, when repaving work to repair ruts and cracks is completed on exit ramps throughout a five-mile stretch of State Route 18.

Construction will begin Tuesday, Sept. 6 when contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) start to close six ramps on SR 18 between Military Road South and Southeast Auburn-Black Diamond Road. In addition to repaving, crews will install 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,” said Project Engineer Hien Trinh. “When we finish our project, drivers will notice what a difference a smoother roadway makes.”

In addition to repaving, signing and striping will permanently change the way vehicles exit from eastbound SR 18 onto C Street Southwest in Auburn. Currently, the ramp has two exit lanes, with the left lane having the ability to turn to the left or right onto C St. SW. 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 by widening the right lane and giving drivers more room to turn.

During construction, drivers can expect nighttime lane and ramp closures as crews grind and repave.

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

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

For more information about the weekly construction schedule, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/King/Construction/KingCountyConstruction.htm#SR18.