The weather might still seem like winter, but the orange fencing, signs and construction equipment at the I-5/Chuckanut Drive interchange in Burlington mean construction season has arrived. Crews are moving into position and gearing up to rebuild and improve the congested interchange.

This $4.8 million project is primarily funded by the 2005 Transportation Partnership Funding Package.

For the next few weeks, crews will work off the roadway and out of the way of drivers. Drivers are advised to watch for large trucks entering and exiting the work zone as crews move dirt into place for the new northbound I-5 off-ramp.

Crews don’t expect to interrupt traffic too much until May, when they will begin work in the roadway on two new roundabouts. This spring and summer, drivers can expect lane shifts and ramp closures on I-5, and lane and road closures on Chuckanut Drive.

When the project is complete this fall, the northbound I-5 on-ramp will be longer, and the northbound off-ramp will be moved south of the current interchange. Crews also will build single-lane roundabouts at the Josh-Wilson Road and Old Highway 99 intersections on Chuckanut Drive.

The I-5 on- and off-ramps will connect with the new roundabouts to help improve safety and relieve congestion at the interchange.