I-5 - Marysville to Stillaguamish River - Median Barrier

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 leave the existing southbound cable barrier in place to provide redundant protection. We will also widen the median shoulders to 10 feet, bringing them up to current standards.
 
With $2.5 million of additional funding from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), we will also install traffic cameras, electronic message signs, and traffic sensors along I-5 in Marysville.

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.

Drivers will also benefit from new electronic message signs, traffic cameras, and traffic sensors along I-5 in Marysville.

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.
• April 2009 - We advertised this project for competitive bidding.
• June 2009 - We awarded the contract to Tri-State Construction.
• July 2009 - We began construction.
• Late 2010 - We expect to complete construction.

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

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

• Pre-existing funds - $16.4 million
• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds - $2.5 million
• Total funding from all sources - $18.9 million

Note: the 2008 legislature allocated $30.5 million for this project, but WSDOT saved nearly $12 million when pre-construction and estimated construction costs came in under budget. The $12 million in cost savings will be reallocated to pay for other state transportation projects.

How can I get more information?
Contact:
WSDOT Project Engineer Amir Ahmadi
9029 El Capitan Way
Everett, WA 98208
Phone: (425) 225-8725
E-mail: Ahmadi@wsdot.wa.gov

or

WSDOT Communications Meghan Pembroke
15700 Dayton Ave. N
PO Box 330310
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: (206) 440-4704
E-mail: pembrom@wsdot.wa.gov

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