Project Facts
-
This 4 mile segment of I-5 is part of a 40-mile long section of the interstate in the state of Washington that is only two lanes in each direction.
-
According to the Port of Chehalis, constructing the LaBree Road interchange as part of this project will improve the economic viability of the Port, which will create more jobs.
- Construction began July 5, 2007.
October 2008
- The contractor has completed the LaBree bridge deck and is working on the traffic berriers.
- The contractor has completed the LaBree bridge embankment, walls needed for teh new ramps, and is preparing to pave the new bridge.
- Construction began in July 2007.
Overview
Interstate 5 is the backbone of the Washington State transportation system. This project is the first stage of several with the goal of improving freight mobility, economic development and safety through the I-5 corridor between the Toutle River Safety Rest Area in Cowlitz County to Grand Mound Road in Thurston County.
As a result of this project and two others -- Mellen to Grand Mound and Grand Mound to Maytown, 18 miles of I-5 will be widened.
Why is WSDOT
widening I-5 in this area?
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 the region. Widening this segment of I-5 will not only improve traffic flow through Lewis County, but also will benefit freight mobility in this very important corridor.
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. WSDOT's planned improvements will help address these issues and improve travel through the I-5 corridor.
Why is WSDOT building an interchange at LaBree Road?
According to the Port of Chehalis, constructing the LaBree Road interchange will help improve the economic viability of the Port, which results in creating more family wage jobs.
It is estimated that after the interchange at I-5 and LaBree Road is built, round-trip truck travel time to and from the Port of Chehalis will be reduced by an average of seven minutes by the year 2030.
After the interchange is constructed, the overall number of accidents on I-5, the ramps and local roadways will be reduced. It will also move truck traffic from the local roadways back onto the interstate, which will help eliminate pedestrian and passenger vehicle conflicts with large trucks.
The End Result
When finished, I-5 from the Rush Road interchange to the 13th Street interchange in Lewis County will be a concrete barrier-divided interstate with three general-purpose lanes in each direction (six lanes total). In addition, access to the Chehalis Industrial Park will be improved as a result of building a new interchange at LaBree Road.
The result of these improvements will be increased economic development and improved mobility and safety for all vehicles traveling on this section of I-5.
Project Benefits
- Congestion Relief: Widening this segment of I-5 will improve traffic flow through Lewis County.
- Mobility: This project will improve roadway capacity by widening approximately four miles of I-5 from the Rush Road interchange to 13th Street interchange in Lewis County.
- Safety: The new LaBree Road interchange will help reduce accidents on I-5, the ramps and local roadways, and will help eliminate pedestrian and passenger vehicle conflicts with large trucks by moving truck traffic from the local roadways back onto the interstate.
- Economic: According to the Port of Chehalis, constructing the LaBree Road interchange will improve the economic viability of the Port, which will help create more jobs.
What is the project timeline?
- 2003: Funding to complete the project was provided by the Nickel gas tax increase.
- February 2004: The Federal Highway Administration conditionally approved a new interchange at LaBree Road as part of the I-5 widening project.
- March 2004: Preliminary design and environmental review work began.
- Summer 2005: Right of way acquisition began.
- August 2005: The Environmental Assessment for the project was completed and presented for public review and comments.
- July 2007: Construction began, traffic impacts began.
- Early 2008: Demolition of the existing LaBree Bridge.
- Late 2009: Construction scheduled to be complete.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Several public involvement opportunities have occurred since early 2004, when the preliminary project design and environmental review work began.
WSDOT first introduced the project to the public at an Open House and Scoping Meeting on April 21, 2004 at W.F. West High School in Chehalis.
A combined Open House and Access Hearing for affected property owners occurred on April 5, 2005 at W.F. West High School. The open house provided interested parties an opportunity to view project exhibits, and to meet project team members prior to the start of the access hearing.
On September 15, 2005, WSDOT hosted an open house at its Chehalis Area Engineering Office to allow the public to review and comment on the recently completed Environmental Assessment for the project. Project staff also were also available to answer questions about the project and the Environmental Assessment. Read the press release, or the August 2005 Newsletter (.pdf 3.3 MB) for more information.
An opportunity to learn more about the project construction took place at an open house June 28, 2007 in Chehalis.
For the more information about public information opportunities for other WSDOT projects in Southwest Washington, visit to the SW Region's Public Involvement page.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT makes every effort to assess and minimize environmental impact from our projects. In August 2005, WSDOT completed an Environmental Assessment for this project. This assessment determined what the potential impacts of possible alignments would be on the environment (natural, ecological, social and economic); evaluated options for lessening these impacts; and determined necessary regulatory approvals. The Executive Summary (.pdf 119 kb) from the Environmental Assessment is available on this Web page.
During project design, WSDOT will work to reduce the impact to wetlands, creeks and rivers in the project area. Any documented fish-passage barriers, such as culverts that prevent migration of spawning fish, will be removed.
For environmental information specific to this project, please contact Erin Gardner at (360) 905-2185, or e-mail GARDNEE@wsdot.wa.gov.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
This project is the first stage of several to improve safety through the I-5 corridor between the Toutle River Safety Rest Area in Cowlitz County to Grand Mound Road in Thurston County. The new LaBree Road interchange will help reduce accidents on I-5, the ramps and local roadways. It also will move truck traffic from the local roadways back onto the interstate, which will help eliminate pedestrian and passenger vehicle conflicts with large trucks.
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.
This process is not applicable because the project does not impact tribal lands.
For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison website.
Financial Information
2003 Legislative Funding Package (Nickel funding): $47.54 million
Other funds: $1.89 million (Federal earmark through Lewis County)
$1.88 million (Federal earmark)
Total Funding Available: $51.31 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Area Engineer Colin Newell
WSDOT Chehalis Project Office
1411 Rush Road
Chehalis, WA 98532
Phone: 360-740-8600, or toll-free 1-866-713-2412
E-mail: swChehalis@wsdot.wa.gov
or
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.
back to top