WSDOT Projects

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View a graphic of the proposed concrete barrier

Project Facts

• We will install 10 miles of concrete median barrier along northbound I-5 in the Marysville area.
• We will widen the shoulders to 10 feet to provide room for emergency responders and disabled vehicles.
• We will leave the existing southbound cable barrier in place to provide redundant protection.

We will install concrete median barrier along a 10-mile stretch of northbound I-5 in the Marysville area and remove the existing low-tension cable median barrier. We will also widen the median shoulders to 10 feet, bringing them up to current standards.

Why is WSDOT installing concrete median barrier along northbound I-5 in Marysville?
In July 2007, WSDOT, the Washington State Patrol and independent experts completed a detailed review of statewide cable median barrier and cross-median collisions on I-5 in Marysville at the request of Governor Gregoire. The report noted a higher-than-average number of crossover collisions on I-5 in Marysville, for reasons not completely understood by safety specialists. As a result, the report recommended installing concrete barrier along northbound I-5 in Marysville to provide the highest possible level of protection against southbound drivers crossing the median and entering northbound lanes.

Though concrete barrier will lower the risk that southbound drivers will cross into the northbound lanes, it will create a new risk to northbound drivers. Concrete barrier will increase the risk that drivers who run off the freeway will rebound off of the barrier into other vehicles. Drivers who hit the concrete barrier will also experience a significantly higher force of impact than those who hit cable median barrier.

The End Result
We will improve driver safety along this stretch of I-5 in Marysville by installing concrete barrier along the northbound lanes and widening the shoulders to current standards. We will also remove existing earth mounds at the base of bridge columns in the project area and replace them with barrier.

Project Benefits

• Concrete median barrier will reduce the risk of serious cross-median collisions involving southbound vehicles crossing into the northbound lanes.
• The existing southbound cable barrier system will provide redundant protection. In addition, southbound drivers who run off the freeway will hit cable median barrier, which will absorb more of the force of impact, reduce the risk of rollovers and reduce the risk of rebound collisions that involve other vehicles.
• Wider shoulders will maintain access for emergency vehicles and provide a refuge area for disabled vehicles.

What is the project timeline?

• Spring 2008 – The 2008 supplemental budget included $26.9 million to install concrete barrier along 10 miles of northbound I-5 in Marysville. We are currently designing this project.
• Spring 2009 - We will advertise this project for competitive bidding.
• Summer 2009 - We expect to begin construction.
• Late 2010 - We expect to complete construction.

Visit the Common Questions page for more on the history of median barrier in Marysville.

Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Please contact Project Engineer Hung Huynh for more information.

Environmental Protection
In our continuing efforts to protect the environment, we will work with surrounding cities and communities to protect, and in some cases, improve environmental conditions. During construction, we will work to reduce impact to wetlands, creeks and rivers that could be in the project area.

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

Increasing safety is one of our priorities
We will install concrete median barrier along northbound I-5 from Marysville to the Stillaguamish River to reduce the risk of serious cross-median collisions. The July 2007 cable barrier report recommended installing concrete barrier to provide the highest possible level of protection against southbound drivers crossing the median and entering northbound lanes.

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.

We will contact tribes with an interest in, or who own land near this project as we design it.

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

• Pre-existing funds - $26.9 million
• Total funding from all sources - $26.9 million

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Hung Huynh
WSDOT Project Engineer
15700 Dayton Ave. N
PO Box 330310
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: (206) 440-4311
E-mail: HuynhH@wsdot.wa.gov

or

Aurora Jones
WSDOT Communications
15700 Dayton Ave. N
PO Box 330310
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: (206) 440-4697
E-mail: jonesa@wsdot.wa.gov

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