Project Facts
- More than 2.7 million vehicles use the I-5 Peace Arch crossing annually.
- The Peace Arch border crossing is for automobiles only. Freight traffic must use the other crossings.
- We are exploring roundabouts as part of the solution to improve the D Street interchange.
May 2008
- Beginning the week of May 19, the GSA will close west side inspection booths so utilities can be installed. Traffic will be diverted to the inspection booths on the east side of the U.S. facility. Three general purpose lanes and one Nexus lane will be available during construction – the same number normally open to travelers
- The General Service Administration (federal government) will completely rebuild the Peace Arch border station to provide greater border security, expanded traffic capacity and a safer more secure environment for employees and travelers. The project is scheduled for completion by January 2010.
- Watch for the General Service Administration's contractors working on or near I-5 at the border. If you have questions or concerns about the work, please contact Bill Lesh with GSA at 503-326-2306.
Overview
There are two parts to this project. First, the General Service Administration will rebuild the I-5, Peace Arch Border crossing between now and the 2010 Winter Olympics in British Columbia. They're going to improve and expand the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities. Second, we will improve the I-5, Blaine interchange at D Street to help support the work GSA is doing. Our work will start after the Olympics are over in 2010.
Why is WSDOT
modifying I-5 and the D Street interchange?
Improvements and expansion of the customs facilities requires changes to I-5 leading to and from the border crossing and the D Street interchange. We will work jointly with the General Services Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to design changes to the highway and interchange that will increase safety at the international border.
The End Result
Improvements at the interchange will help with traffic flow and inspections at the border crossing, while meeting current highway safety standards.
One part of the project will be to slow traffic as it enters the customs facilities. WSDOT is exploring a number of features along the I-5 mainline and at the ramp intersections that will slow vehicles. These features may include roundabouts at ramp intersections, grassy shoulders and adding curves to lanes near the border station.
Project Benefits
This project will provide a safer entrance to and from the Peace Arch border crossing and works in conjunction with a federal construction project to increase border security.
What is the project timeline?
- 2007, winter - GSA plans to start I-5 Peace Arch construction.
- January 2010 - GSA plans to finish construction.
- 2010, summer - WSDOT plans to improve the D Street interchange in Blaine.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Contact the project design office for more details on project involvement.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT makes every effort to assess and minimize environmental impact from our projects. During project design, WSDOT will work to reduce the impact to wetlands, creeks and rivers in the project area. A detailed analysis of the project's environmental impacts will be completed and, if necessary, an appropriate plan for mitigation of impacts will be developed and documented as part of the environmental documentation and environmental permitting processes.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Improvements to the interchange will help increase security at the border while increasing safety for vehicles entering and exiting the border crossing.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
Formal consultation with the Nooksack, Lummi, Samish, Sauk-Suiattle, and the Marietta band of the Nooksack tribe will be undertaken as a part of this project. A cultural resource survey for the project area will be produced for which each tribe will be asked to review and comment.
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.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following fund sources:
- Other funds - $24,558,000 Federal funding
- Total funding available from all sources - $24,558,000
How can I get more information?
Contact:
GSA Public Affairs Officer Bill Lesh
GSA Northwest Arctic Region
400 15th Street SW
Auburn WA 98001
Phone 503-326-2306
E-mail: william.lesh@gsa.gov
WSDOT Communications Dustin Terpening
WSDOT Mt. Baker Headquarters
1043 Goldenrod Road, Suite 101
Burlington, WA 98233
Phone: 360-757-5997
E-mail: mailto:TerpeniD@wsdot.wa.gov
Crossing the border?
Get travel tips from Customs and Border Protection, or
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