November 2009
- WSDOT is moving forward with changes to the project design. The new design will include Collector Distributor (CD) lanes (.pdf, 141kb) between the Harrison Avenue and Mellen Street interchanges.
- For additional information regarding public involvement, safety improvements, environmental protection and tribal impacts of this project, visit the Project Specifics page.
Overview
WSDOT will construct Collector Distributor (CD) lanes (.pdf, 141kb) between Mellen Street (Exit 81) and Harrison Avenue (Exit 82) interchanges. The CD lanes will improve safety by eliminating the existing traffic merging conditions between the Mellen Street and Harrison Avenue interchanges and preserve mobility by keeping local traffic off mainline I-5. This project will construct a new bridge over I-5, south of the Mellen Street and will connect to Mellen Street interchange and CD lanes by using frontage roads.
Why is WSDOT
building this project?
I-5 is the most significant freight freeway on the West Coast, linking markets in Canada, the United States and Mexico and is critical to the regional, state and national economy. It also is the busiest commuter roadway in western Washington. There is currently a 40-mile long section of I-5 from the Toutle River Safety Rest Area in Cowlitz County to the Maytown interchange in Thurston County that is still only two lanes in each direction. As a result, congestion is a problem and even minor incidents can result in significant traffic backups. The area's mobility and safety problems are expected to grow with anticipated traffic volume increases.
Improving this segment of I-5 will help address these issues, improve traffic flow through Lewis County, and benefit freight mobility in this significant corridor.
The End Result
When finished, I-5 between Mellen Street and Harrison Avenue will have CD lanes located on the outside of the existing I-5 roadway. A new bridge will be constructed over I-5 approximately a quarter of a mile south of the existing Mellen Street Interchange. The new bridge will connect to the existing Mellen Street Interchange and CD lanes using Airport Road and Ellsbury Street. This split interchange configuration will allow traffic to circulate with one direction flow. Additionally, as part of this project, I-5 will be widened and re-aligned at the Blakeslee Junction curve.
Once completed, this project will improve safety and mobility for all vehicles traveling on this section of I-5.
Project Benefits
• Mobility: This project will increase roadway capacity and improve traffic flow through Lewis County by providing CD lanes between the Mellen Street and Harrison Avenue interchanges.
• Safety: As traffic levels increase on this section of I-5, safety problems are expected to grow. CD lanes will reduce collisions by eliminating weave conditions between the Mellen Street and Harrison Avenue interchanges.
• Economic: This project will encourage economic development in this area by improving freight mobility through Lewis County.
What is the project timeline?
- 2006: Project Scoping, Public Involvement, and Environmental Documentation began.
- 2010: Right-of-Way Acquisition and Permit Acquisition scheduled to begin.
- 2012: Construction scheduled to begin.
- 2014: Construction scheduled for completion.
Financial Information
Please see financial information on the main Web page for this series of projects.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Area Engineer Kevin Miller
WSDOT SW Region Design Office
PO Box 1709
11018 NE 51st Circle
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360-905-1565
E-mail: swClark@wsdot.wa.gov
Communications
WSDOT Southwest Region
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360-905-2058
E-mail: SWWebInfo@wsdot.wa.gov
or access our project feedback form.
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