Drivers caught in gridlock traffic on Harrison Avenue, Olympic Way Thursday. Here’s why

Travelers going to and from west Olympia are facing gridlock Thursday due to road work that’s expected to continue into Friday.

A city contractor began chip sealing on Harrison Avenue and Olympic Way Thursday. This process helps “restore the existing pavement and extend the life” of the streets, according to the City of Olympia.

The work zone includes Harrison Avenue from Cooper Point Road to Division Street and Olympic Way from Harrison Avenue to the Fourth and Fifth Avenue roundabout.

To allow for the work, crews put up lane restrictions on the two streets. Flaggers also directed motorists, pedestrians and cyclists through the area. The city says travelers can expect the road work to continue Friday, weather permitting.

Drivers going west on the Fourth Avenue bridge were limited to one lane Thursday morning, causing a long line of traffic to stretch across the bridge and into downtown Olympia. Accessing the west side via U.S. Highway 101 or Deschutes Parkway could be better options.

The chip sealing project costs about $1.5 million, according to the city’s construction website . The city says the project is being funded by Federal Highway Administration dollars.