View entire map. Project area is along I-5 beginning at SR 121 (Maytown Road, Exit 95) and south to SR 12 (Grand Mound).
Project Facts
- More than eight miles of I-5 will be widened to three lanes in each direction.
- On-ramps and off-ramps will be improved.
- The major curve south of Grand Mound will be realigned.
Why is WSDOT
widening this section of I-5?
This is one of a series of projects that will, when completed, provide a minimum of three lanes in both directions of I-5 from Grand Mound to Maytown in Thurston County. The additional lanes provide much-needed congestion relief and improved safety. Upgrading the existing freeway on-ramps and off-ramps to meet current WSDOT and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) design standards also provides important safety improvements.
The End Result
When constructed, the facility will be a barrier-divided freeway providing three general-purpose lanes in each direction, where two lanes exist currently. The existing northbound and southbound truck-climbing lanes leaving the Maytown interchange will be retained, making a total of four lanes each direction in this area. Also, as described above, off-ramps and on-ramps will provide longer distances for vehicles to slow down and speed up.
South of the Grand Mound interchange, the realignment will provide a more gradual curve that can be negotiated safely at the posted 70 mph speed.
The end result will be eight miles of Interstate 5 that can move more vehicles in a safer fashion. Additionally, the two rest areas within the project limits will be connected to the Thurston County sewer system.
Project Benefits
- Traffic Flow. The addition of one lane in each direction to Interstate 5 will improve traffic flow and relieve congestion.
- Safety. The project will realign the curve south of the Grand Mound Interchange on Interstate 5, increasing the radius and associated sight distances. The result will be improved driver comfort and safety.
What is the project timeline?
Construction began in April 2008. Completion is expected in Fall 2010.
Public Involvement
Ground-breaking Ceremony at Scatter Creek Rest Area scheduled for May 14, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. The public is welcome to attend.
Prior to and throughout construction, WSDOT will keep the public informed through various forms of news media, in addition to this Web site. This Web site will be updated regularly to reflect current project information.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT is committed to preserving the environment and makes every effort to assess and minimize environmental impacts from our projects. A detailed analysis of the project's environmental impacts has been completed and an appropriate plan for mitigation of adverse impacts has been developed and documented as part of the Environmental Documentation and Environmental Permitting processes.
Within project limits, I-5 crosses Beaver Creek, Scatter Creek and Prairie Creek. WSDOT will use state-of-the-art roadway design to minimize impacts to these important resources.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
For the length of the project, I-5 will be divided by a median barrier to eliminate the occurrence of head-on collisions. Where possible, steep side-slopes adjacent to the roadway will be "flattened" to reduce the severity of accidents involving vehicles that run off the roadway. Steep slopes that cannot be flattened will be protected with guardrail.
Many of the existing ramps were not designed for a highway with a 70 mph posted speed. Where this is the case, on-ramps will be modified to increase the lengths available for vehicles to accelerate to freeway speed, and off-ramps will be modified to provide more length for vehicles to slow down when exiting the freeway.
The existing curve south of the Grand Mound interchange also was not designed for the current posted 70 mph speed. The project will realign the curve, increasing the radius and associated sight distances. The result will be improved driver comfort and safety.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
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.
For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison website.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:
- 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) - $84,012,170
- Existing Funds - $4,297,618
- Other Agency Funds - $148,670 (Thurston County Waste Management)
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $88,458,458
For project schedule and updates, please see the Quarterly Project Report.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
John McNutt, Project Engineer
WSDOT Tumwater Project Office
821 Airport Court SE
Tumwater, WA 98501-6805
Phone: 360-570-6751
E-mail: gmtm@wsdot.wa.gov
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