I-5 - SR 161/SR 18 Triangle Improvements

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending December 2007

Project Title & Location
I-5/SR 161 I/C & SR 18 I/C (Triangle)

Project Description
The I-5/SR 161/SR 18 Interchange Improvement project (Triangle Project Phase 1) includes replacing a cloverleaf loop ramp with a flyover ramp for WB SR 18 to SB I-5 traffic and provide a new WB SR 18 connection to SR 161. The I-5/SR 18 cloverleaf interchange is defined as a High Accident Location. Eliminating one of the loop ramps will eliminate the weave on WB SR 18 and SB I-5. These improvements will improve traffic flow and safety.

Contractor/Consultant
Consultant Berger/ABAM

Recent Progress
The Interchange Justification Report was submitted  to FHWA.

The Channelization Plans were submitted for final approval.

Beginning Plans, Specifications and Estimate phase;  preliminary bridge plan design ongoing.

Met in field with Geotech group, drilling to commence by end of year (2007)

Met in field with Department of Fish & Wildlife to evaluate culvert fish barriers.

Began appraising wetland mitigation property.

Submitted the Phase 1 Right of Way Plan to HQ for approval.

Design Construction Impacts
Phase 1 of this project is not affected by the failure of the Regional Transportation Improvement Package (RTID).  Phase 2 relied on the funds provided by RTID and hence will need other funding to complete the design and construction.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
Environmental impacts identified by preliminary discipline reports are minimal.  We have decided to switch the NEPA classification from an Environmental Assessment (EA) to a Documented Categorical Exclusions (DCE).

Impacts to Traffic
The consultant will develop a staging plan to minimize traffic impacts during construction.

Project Milestones Scheduled Attained Milestone Outlook
Project Definition Complete November 2006 July 2007
Environmental Document Complete June 2007 August 2007
Right of Way Certification June 2009 Right of Way acquisition for Phase 1 is minimal.
Advertisement - Ad Date October 2009 On schedule.
Operationally Complete   June 2013
Project Cost Summary: Dollars in
millions
Percent
of Total

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)
Project Expenditure Chart

Preliminary Engineering $16.5m 14.8%
Right-of-Way $14.5m 12.9%
Construction $81.0m 72.3%
Funded Project Costs $112.0m 100.0%

Nickel funds included in above costs

$3.0m 2.7%

2005 Transportation Partnership Account

$100.0m 90.7%

  For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects

 Bruce Nebbitt, WSDOT Project Engineer @ (206) 716-1170 or E-mail: NebbiEB@wsdot.wa.gov