Project Title & Location
I-5 HOV - South 48th Street to Pacific Avenue, Tacoma

Project Description
Improves safety on I-5, from 38th Street to I-705 by adding a collector-distributor lane for safer merges on and off the freeway.

Contractor/Consultant
Kiewit Pacific Co.

Recent Progress

The soil nail and soldier pile portions of the retaining walls are complete and panels for the structural earth wall along the new collector-distributor have been installed.  Work is progressing on the noise barrier concrete fascia along northbound I-5 and other retaining wall items.

HMA paving of the new ramps and collector-distributor (CD) continues.  This is required to shift the NB I-5 traffic onto the CD for the next phase of bridge removal.  The decks for the new bridges along this CD and the concrete paving have already been completed.

Design Construction Impacts

The Project Office and Contractor have worked through issues regarding soil stability during soil nail wall construction and drainage tie-ins to the City of Tacoma system.  There is still the potential for unknown utility conflicts with the remaining structure work.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

Noise barrier walls are being constructed to minimize the effects of traffic noise on adjacent residences and schools.

Storm water detention ponds have been constructed for use as part of the contractor’s temporary erosion control measures. They will later be modified for permanent water quantity and quality treatment to accommodate the widened roadway.

During the recent storm event on November 6, 2006, the ponds reached capacity and some turbidity thresholds were exceeded at South Tacoma Way even though appropriate erosion control measures were in place.  The Department of Ecology reviewed the site and was satisfied that the storm water was effectively contained considering the excessive amount of rainfall that occurred.

Water quality monitoring is critical to ensure that turbidity and pH thresholds are not exceeded at discharge points. 

To ensure compliance with all permits and regulations, on-site meetings are conducted with the Department of Ecology bi-monthly and with the City of Tacoma quarterly.

Impacts to Traffic

Northbound and southbound lanes have been shifted toward the median to accommodate the drainage and wall work along the outside shoulders. This lane configuration will remain the same until early 2007 when the lanes are shifted for the next phase of bridge removal for the Yakima, Delin, and Tacoma Avenue bridges.

The bridges were closed in Spring 2006. The Yakima and Delin bridges are scheduled to be reconstructed and opened to traffic by fall 2007.  M Street will remain open during the closures of these bridges.

Motorists can continue to expect periodic nighttime lane closures on northbound and southbound I-5 throughout the project limits.

Electronic message signs and highway advisory radios (HARs) will be deployed throughout the area to alert travelers about traffic conditions and lane closures during construction.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account