Drivers traveling through DuPont this weekend should prepare for major disruptions as both directions of Interstate 5 will fully close overnight for bridge demolition work.
All lanes of I-5 near Joint Base Lewis-McChord will shut down from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 3-4, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
During the closures, northbound and southbound traffic will be detoured off the freeway at Exit 119 at Steilacoom-DuPont Road.
Transportation officials warn that drivers who do not adjust their plans could face significant congestion.
“If people do not change their travel plans, travelers can expect the potential for miles-long backups,” WSDOT said in a statement. “If people must travel, add at least 30 minutes of time to trips and expect stop and go traffic approaching the work zone.”
The closure is needed to remove an older bridge after a newly constructed overpass in the area was opened to traffic, the agency said.
Once demolition is complete, crews will begin work to add a new high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in both directions of I-5.
The overnight closures are part of a broader $240 million corridor improvement project between Mounts Road and Steilacoom-DuPont Road, which is expected to be completed in late 2026.
Previous phases of the project included rebuilding nearby interchanges and improving access for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
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