Freeway work snarls traffic for hours

Multiple freeway projects created a significant impact on traffic in the Vancouver area for several hours Saturday afternoon.

The Vancouver Police Department issued a bulletin at about 2:30 p.m. warning motorists to avoid Mill Plain Boulevard (both east and west) in the area of I-205 and Chkalov Drive. The congestion cleared after about two hours, and the department cancelled its warnings at 4:46 p.m.

The department had suggested that drivers who needed to travel east or west in the area of I-205, and would normally take Mill Plain, should use alternate routes such as 28th Street or Fourth Plain Boulevard.

Travelers who needed to cross into Oregon were encouraged to go about 30 miles east on state Highway 14 and use the Bridge of the Gods if possible, returning on Interstate 84. That bridge is a toll bridge.

The project that caused the congestion — work on the Interstate 205 Bridge — will continue until 5 a.m. Monday: Two lanes will be closed around the clock. Onramps from state Highway 14 to southbound I-205 will also be closed.

Other planned closures are:

o Aug. 27-30: Two lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. each night to 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and to 5 a.m. Monday.

o 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, until 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13: Two lanes will be closed around the clock.

Drivers can view Vancouver traffic flow maps and real-time photographs at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/vancouver/VancouverTraffic. For statewide traffic information, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic, or call 5-1-1 or 800-695-ROAD.