Goodbye, bumpy ride on I-5 in Vancouver

Three coordinated pavement projects will improve more than 6 miles of southbound I-5 in Clark County

CLARK COUNTY - One of the roughest stretches of Interstate 5 between Vancouver and Woodland will be smoother as crews begin work to replace damaged concrete panels as part of a series of three pavement improvement projects along the I-5 corridor.

Beginning Monday, Sept. 14, Washington State Department of Transportation contractor, Granite Contractors Company, will replace the most damaged concrete panels in both directions of I-5 between Northeast 179th to just south of Woodland near the North Fork Lewis River Bridge. Years of heavy traffic, weather and age have caused some panels to crack and shift. Replacing them now will improve the ride and prepare the roadway for the next stage of construction in May 2027.

"Together, these projects improve one of the busiest stretches of I-5 in Clark County," said WSDOT Project Engineer TJ Prendergast. "We're excited to continue improving the corridor, so travelers have a smoother, more reliable drive."

More pavement improvements ahead on I-5

Earlier this year, WSDOT's contractor, Kerr Contractors Oregon, LLC, began concrete pavement rehabilitation work along a 2.2-mile stretch of I-5, between Northeast 179th Street and the I-5/I-205 split. Crews used a crack, seat and overlay method to break the worn concrete pavement into smaller pieces, press them into place to create a stable base, and pave a new layer of asphalt on top.

That project is expected to wrap up by end of September. Work also included:

• Removing the "Rough Road" signs.
• Installing new signs and guardrail.
• Improving drainage to help protect the roadway from water damage.

In May 2027, crews will return to rebuild approximately 4 miles of southbound I-5 between Northeast 179th and Pioneer streets using the same crack, seat and overlay method. Replacing the damaged panels this year creates the solid foundation needed for this work. The $25 million investment will rebuild the roadway with new asphalt designed to last for years.

Together, these three coordinated projects will improve more than 6 miles of I-5 in Clark County. Completing the work over multiple construction seasons allows crews to address the most urgent repairs first while preparing the corridor for long-term pavement improvements. When finished, travelers will experience a smoother, more reliable drive through southwest Washington.