Date:
Monday, January 22, 2007
Contact:
Howard Diep, Project Engineer, (253) 589-6100
Jamie Swift, WSDOT Communications, (360) 357-2703
TACOMA – Traffic through downtown is going to get worse before it gets better.
Drivers should anticipate significant backups over the next several months on eastbound SR 16 and northbound I-5 due to a two-part traffic revision that makes room for bridge-demolition work near the Tacoma Dome.
Starting early next week, if the weather cooperates, the on-ramp to northbound I-5 from SR 16 will be reduced from two lanes to one. Later in the week, also depending on weather, northbound traffic will be shifted to the right to get motorists around the demolition work.
The first few days will be the worst, while drivers become familiar with the changes.
These revisions, which will be in place through the fall, keep motorists clear of falling debris and create work space for crews to build two new bridges over the freeway.
WSDOT urges drivers to slow down, avoid lane changes and turn their total attention to driving.
Crews will be removing three bridges that span I-5 near the Tacoma Dome to make room for WSDOT’s I-5, 48th to Pacific project, which widens the freeway to accommodate HOV lanes, increase safety and relieve congestion.
For more information on this project, including construction photos, descriptive graphics, and traffic alerts through the work zone, visit www.tacomatraffic.com.
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