The Washington State Department of Transportation announced the closure of the southbound Interstate 5 HOV lane, beginning 7 p.m. May 13 and scheduled to end 1 p.m. Monday, May 23.

In a news release, WSDOT indicated the closure is part of the Triangle Improvement Project at the I-5 interchange with State Route 18 and State Route 161.

Daily commutes are expected to “look like a Friday afternoon,” said project engineer Aleta Borschowa in a news release. “That means speeds of 35 to 40 miles an hour and delays of about 10 minutes.”

During the “peak” afternoon commute, approximately 8,000 vehicles per hour use southbound I-5 in Federal Way, with 1,000 of those vehicles taking advantage of the HOV lane.

According to the release, this closure is just the beginning of a “series of significant closures during the next few months.” The next will occur the day after Memorial Day, as crews will close the ramp from Weyerhaeuser Way to westbound SR 18 for approximately three months. Toward the end of the summer, in August, the westbound SR 18 ramp to northbound I-5 will be closed for about four weeks. All of these projects tie into the flyover ramps now visible from I-5 while driving through Federal Way.

To stay ahead of traffic and detours, Federal Way residents can sign up for the South King County email updates, follow WSDOT updates on Twitter, checking the project website or calling the 24-hour project hotline at (206) 440-4900.