Crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will begin hoisting large bridge girders for a new flyover ramp in Federal Way on Thursday and Friday.

The work will take place on the west side of I-5 near SR 18. This is the right side if you are traveling southbound. While no lanes will be closed, drivers may be distracted by the work.

Two cranes will lift the 100-ton, 158-foot-long concrete girders into place from approximately 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Four girders will be placed each day.

The work is part of a project to ease congestion and improve safety in the area where I-5, SR 18 and SR 161 meet in Federal Way. As part of the project crews are building two new flyover ramps – one from westbound SR 18 to southbound I-5 and one from eastbound SR 18 to northbound I-5. The new flyover ramps will eliminate weaving that can lead to congestion and collisions. This project is expected to be completed in late 2012 or early 2013.

For more information please go to www.wsdot.wa.gov.