WSDOT Projects

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Interstate 5 passing through downtown Seattle.

Project Facts

• We built I-5 in the 1960s
• The concrete on I-5 is now 20 years past its design life
• Through Seattle 250,000 freight and passenger vehicles travel I-5 daily

WSDOT is developing a list of coordinated and prioritized projects to replace 16 miles of deteriorating pavement between Tukwila and Northgate while also looking at options to make traffic flow better.

Replacing the pavement on I-5 offers a unique opportunity to fix long-standing traffic bottlenecks, so we are evaluating ways to improve traffic flow that can be implemented during pavement reconstruction.

The I-5 work requires close coordination with several WSDOT departments, cities, counties and transit agencies within the corridor, and with other projects: the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Project, SR 519 and Sound Transit North Link Light Rail.

Why is WSDOT improving this stretch of I-5?
Everyday 250,000 vehicles travel through Seattle on I-5, the main north-south interstate freeway in Washington state. It is the busiest freeway in the state with 70 percent of the state’s population living within 16 miles.

Closing lanes of I-5 for maintenance repairs is disruptive, costly and provides a temporary bandage for a worsening condition. The original concrete pavement is deteriorating to the point where it needs to be removed and replaced to preserve the freeway and provide a safer, smoother ride for thousands of drivers.

The End Result
This project is in the early stages of design. We are looking at removing the existing nine inch-thick pavement on the freeway and replacing it with thicker pavement reinforced with steel bars at the joints.

The thicker concrete would ensure at least another 40 years of service, and the bars would help the roadway behave like a single unit rather than like individual concrete panels. This would minimize the rough "thump, thump, thump" motorists now hear and feel as they drive on I-5 through Seattle.

Project Benefits
• Safety. The new, smoother road surface will improve driver safety and will eliminate drivers having to avoid holes and cracks in the roadway.

• Road Surface. The reconstructed lanes will improve the roadway surface and provide a smoother ride for drivers.

• Pavement Lifespan. This project extends the freeway's lifespan and puts an end to costly and inconvenient temporary repairs.

• Traffic Flow. The project will reduce traffic bottlenecks and chokepoints where possible, improving the flow of people and goods through the heart of Seattle.

What is the project timeline?

• 2004 - 2008. Identify and prioritize the list of pavement replacement projects that may include operational improvements.
• 2008 - 2009. Select top two pavement replacement projects and traffic operations improvements.
• 2009. Begin most urgent pavement repairs until pavement replacement can be done.
• 2009 - 2015. Advance top two reconstruction options forward for preliminary design and environmental documentation.
• 2017 - beyond. Construction of pavement replacement and operational improvements. (Assuming funds are available.)

Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us, please contact us. Public participation include community group presentations, newsletters, email lists. This Web site will also continue to be updated throughout the project.

Title VI: WSDOT assures full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin and sex in the provision of benefits and services. For language interpretation services please contact WSDOT at 206-382-5287. It is necessary to speak limited English so that your request can be appropriately responded to. For information on WSDOT's Title VI Program, please contact the Title VI Coordinator at (360) 705-7098.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information: Individuals requiring reasonable accommodation of any type may contact Carol Hunter by email or at 206.464.1219. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may call WA State Telecommunications Relay Service (TTY) at 711.

Environmental Protection
WSDOT and the city make every effort to assess and avoid or minimize environmental impacts from our projects. The project team will take advantage of design opportunities to better manage stormwater runoff.

A detailed analysis of the project's environmental impacts will be presented in an initial environmental document and, when 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
The new, smoother road surface will improve driver safety and eliminate the need to avoid holes and cracks in the roadway. Reduced or eliminated traffic chokepoints will also improve traffic 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.

Financial Information
The legislature appropriated the following funds for this project. These funds are anticipated to only cover the first of many projects needed to replace the worn pavement on I-5 between Tukwilla and Northgate.

Analysis and Preliminary Design - $10.3 Million
Design and Construction - $21 Million (Available starting in 2009) and $114 Million (Available starting in 2017 and beyond)


For more information about the Cost Estimate Validation Process and the cost estimate ranges, please visit the CEVP Web site.

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Project Manager, Carol Hunter
WSDOT
401 Second Avenue South, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-464-1219

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