WSDOT Projects

View detailed map

Project Facts

• Roughly 104,000 vehicles use this stretch of I-5 every day. From I-5, roughly 20,600 cars exit onto 196th Street SW and 26,600 cars get onto southbound I-5 from SR 525/I-405.
• Drivers will get onto and off the freeway faster, easier and safer.
  
• Our improvements will increase safety and traffic flow in this area.
  

Overview 
We will build a braided ramp to separate merging traffic to the 196th Street interchange in Lynnwood. The braided ramp will separate traffic merging from I-405 and SR 525 to southbound I-5 from traffic exiting southbound I-5 to 196th Street in Lynnwood. These improvements will eliminate lane-weaving, help reduce congestion and rear-end and sideswipe collisions.

Why is WSDOT making these improvements?
Keeping drivers safe is WSDOT’s top priority. Busy residential and retail traffic exiting at 196th Street SW is causing severe backups onto southbound I-5 as fast traffic mixes with slow moving traffic exiting to the 196th Street interchange. These traffic flow problems lead to rear-end and sideswipe collisions.

The End Result
With the braided ramp configuration, drivers exiting to 196th Street SW will be separated from southbound I-5 and the traffic entering southbound I-5 from SR 525 and I-405.  These improvements will eliminate lane-weaving, and help reduce rear-end and sideswipe collisions and congestion.

Project Benefits
• Safety - By providing a braided ramp, we will eliminate lane-weaving on the mainline, and decrease rear-end and sideswipe collisions.

• Congestion relief - Drivers will get onto and off the freeway faster, easier and safer.

• Environment - We will upgrade stormwater storage and treatment facilities to ensure water quality for fish and other wildlife.

What is the project timeline?
Engineers and planners are researching and working with local communities to refine the scope of this project. The estimated timeline for the southbound braided ramps are:

September 2006 - Design started

February 2010 - Advertise for competitive bidding for construction

Spring 2010 - Begin construction

Summer 2012 - Estimated construction complete

Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. If you have comments or feedback, please e-mail the project office at SabboGF@wsdot.wa.gov.

Environmental Protection
We provide increased protection to the environment by creating better storage and treatment for rain water runoff, helping to improve stream water quality for the fish population in the area.

Please visit the WSDOT Environmental Services Web site for more information.

Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Safety is our top priority. The improvements to the southbound I-5/196th interchange will improve traffic flow and improve visibility, cutting down on accidents.

Will this project impact tribal resources?
We will consult with Tribes and other interested parties as we develop this project.  

At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.

To learn more about the tribal consultation process please visit WSDOT's Tribal Liaison page, where you'll find links to WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan and WSDOT's Tribal Consultation Policy (Adopted by the Transportation Commission on February 19, 2003).

Financial Information
This project is funded through the following fund sources:

• 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $55 million 
• Total Funding Available From All Sources - $55 million

How can I get more information?
Contact:

 
Project Manager Ghassan Sabboubeh
15700 Dayton Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98133-9713
Phone: (206) 440-4959
E-mail: SabboGF@wsdot.wa.gov

or

WSDOT Communications Patricia Michaud
15700 Dayton Avenue North
PO Box 330310 MS: 103
Seattle, WA 98133-9710
Phone:  (206) 440-4964
E-mail: michaup@wsdot.wa.gov

back to top