Weather slows I-5 work, but commuters not delayed

Wet weather may be slowing down construction work a bit on northbound Interstate 5 heading into Seattle, but it didn't delay commuters much Monday.

State Department of Transportation (DOT) spokeswoman Laura Johnson said traffic was backed up for about a mile coming into downtown Monday morning, and it was taking drivers about 15 minutes to make their way through the construction zone.

The Monday afternoon commute was similar, with delays of about 30 minutes through the construction zone.

Crews have finished work on the expansion joints that are being replaced from South Spokane Street to the Interstate 90 interchange, and all that's left is to repave the freeway, DOT spokeswoman Meghan Soptich said.

Crews need about six rain-free hours to pave the freeway, and they're hoping that work can start by 6 a.m. today.

If it looks like the weather is improving, the contractor will start its giant blow dryer to help dry the existing pavement and start paving sooner.

Crews are on track to meet their Saturday deadline to wrap up the project, five days ahead of schedule. They could finish even earlier, though Soptich wouldn't speculate how early.