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Some of the most significant work in the state over the past five years has occurred on the SR 16 corridor with major widening new for HOV lanes between I-5 and Gig Harbor, construction of a second major suspension bridge across the Tacoma Narrows, and preparation for reconstruction of the Nalley Valley Interchange at I-5.
Major projects recently completed or now under way on the SR 16 corridor represent an aggregate budget for construction of approximately $1.04 billion. With work on the projects at various states of completion, the current estimate of the total final cost of construction for these projects is on budget at approximately $1.04 billion.
In addition to the major projects listed below there have been numerous smaller capital projects throughout the SR 16 corridor such as repaving the highway surface and safety work.
Beginning at the intersection with I-5 here are the major projects:
Tacoma - Widening of SR 16 is under way from the bridge project at Jackson Avenue to Union Ave. This is a Nickel Fund project. In addition to adding HOV lanes in both directions on this approximately 5-mile segment, the project widens bridges at Snake Lake and constructs new bridges at Pearl Street, 12th Street and 6th Avenue. It involves extensive earthwork, as well as installation of stormwater runoff protection facilities. The project was divided by WSDOT into two separate contracts in order to maintain schedule despite delays in the right-of-way process. The first stage is from Union Avenue to 6th Avenue, and the second stage is from 6th/Pearl to Jackson. As a result, the project is expected to open for traffic on schedule in 2007 and to be completed at a final construction cost now estimated at $100.3 million in relation to an original construction budget of $103.9 million. The budget includes $82 million in Nickel funds.
Also in Tacoma, widening of SR 16 was completed on schedule in October 2002 between Sprague Avenue interchange and Snake Lake. In addition to new lanes for HOVs, the work included widening of the Cedar Street and Union Avenue bridges and other improvements to the Union Avenue interchange. This work prepares for future improvements to the Nalley Valley interchange and the viaduct. The project’s final construction costs were on target with the budget at $23 million.
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Tacoma Narrows Bridge - This is one of the country’s top transportation projects. As of September, work stood at 73% complete and is tracking on schedule for completion and within the design-build construction program delivery budget of $756 million. Opening to traffic is expected on schedule in 2007 and the final completion including seismic upgrades and other improvements to the existing Tacoma Narrows Bridge is expected on schedule in 2008. In addition to construction of the new bridge and modernization of the old bridge, the project includes major modifications to the roadway approaches from 36th Avenue in Gig Harbor from the west and Jackson Avenue in Tacoma from the east.
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Burley-Olalla - Completed interim improvements (while awaiting funding for a major interchange construction program) for highway reconfigurations to reduce accident frequency at a high priority safety location. The interim project finished on schedule in September at a construction cost of $1.32 million as compared to an original construction budget of $1.35 million.
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Gig Harbor - Widening a one-mile segment of SR 16 from Olympic Drive to the bridge project at 36th Avenue. HOV lanes will be added as well as lanes and other interchange improvements at both Olympic Drive and 36th Avenue. The project is expected to be completed on schedule in October 2005 and the estimated final construction cost is now at $8.9 million, which is 15% above the original construction budget of $7.7 million.