New I-5 overpass opens in Ridgefield

The initial phase of a makeover at the Interstate 5 interchange in Ridgefield opens to drivers today.

Two lanes of the new four-lane state Highway 501 overpass will be opened, allowing construction to continue on new Interstate 5 on and off-ramps.

Today’s changeover is one piece of a $23 million safety and mobility project funded in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The new Interstate 5 ramps will be built across the old state Highway 501 alignment. Moving drivers to the new overpass clears from for construction workers.

A demolition of the old SR 501 bridge is scheduled for September. When that time comes, it will require complete closures, one direction at a time, of Interstate 5.

Drivers can expect traffic shifts and flagging throughout the summer and fall as crews pave, drain, sign, stripe and landscape the roadways.

Construction is expected to be complete in late 2011 or early 2012.