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Project Title & Location
I-5-SR 509 Corridor Completion and Freight Improvement Project in Kent, SeaTac, Des Moines & Federal Way
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Project Description
The SR 509/I-5 Freight and Congestion Relief Project will ease congestion on I-5, improve freight mobility, lower travel times, accommodate plans for a new south-oriented access to Sea-Tac International Airport, and increase safety on south King County roadways. In addition, the project includes several environmental improvements. The 2005 Transportation Partnership Account will fund continued design and right-of-way acquisition. The project may be constructed in phases depending on funding.
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Contractor/Consultant
Consultants working on SR 509 include HDR, Universal Field Services, INCA Engineers, Cocker Fennessy, Baillie and Associates
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Recent Progress
Record of Decision signed by FHWA on March 20, 2003. Access Point Decision Report approved by FHWA on April 17, 2003. I-5 Findings and Order signed and I-5 right of way plans approved in April 2004. SR 509 Access Hearing Findings and Order signed in November 2004. Design approval received May 2005, wetland mitigation site constructed. Right of way acquisition is continuing with 91 parcels, out of the needed 225, obtained to date. Obtained HPA. For more information, please see the project web site.
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Design Construction Impacts
The 2007 Cost risk Assessment (CRA) for the entire SR 509 project estimates construction durations of six to eight years and $1,265 million additional funding needed. Funding for the remaining right of way purchases and construction depends on additional funding from the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID). The Nickel Funding Package funds will be used by the end of the 2005-2007 biennium. $30 million in funds were received from the Transportation Partnership Account these funds are being used to purchase critical right of way parcels and continue the design. In November of 2006, WSDOT reevaluated the project in an effort to reduce cost to better match the proposed RTID funding level. A phased approach was evaluated to match RTID funding.
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Environmental Impacts / Compliance
As part of the Nickel Funding Package; the SR 509 project contributed $9.47 million to the construction cost of the Des Moines Creek Basin Plan projects and will use the facilities to help manage SR 509 storm water runoff. The HPA was issued February 15, 2007, all permits have now been obtained. Wetland impacts have been reduced to less than ½ acre and the wetland mitigation site is under construction.
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Impacts to Traffic
When complete, the SR 509 project will reduce congestion on I-5, reducing travel times by up to 12 minutes between Seattle and Tacoma. The project will give commuters a choice of routes, thereby reducing trip distances and trip times. The new route provides direct freight access between Kent, the Port of Seattle and the Duwamish industrial area. Airport access from the south will be improved, reducing traffic impacts on local streets and I-5.
During construction, four lanes of I-5 will remain open in the peak direction during the peak hours.
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