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
Project not yet advertised

Recent Progress

Project risk evaluation meetings are being held every two weeks to anticipate and strategically address possible risks to project implementation. Contract plan and specification development is nearing completion.

Design Construction Impacts

Utility relocation is underway. There are approximately 41 utility conflicts on this project. The goal is to have 38 of these relocated prior to advertisement and to relocate the additional 3 during construction due to constructability issues. The WSDOT Utility Task Force is working with the owners  to optimize the timing of needed relocations. Coordination of Contractor access, Jurisdictional Ditches, and High Visibility Fencing - reflected in contract documents.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

Two previously unknown wetlands were discovered in mid-September. Design changes will eliminate the impacts to one; the other will require mitigation. A mitigation plan for the project was accepted by all agencies.

Where warranted, noise barrier walls will be constructed to minimize the effects of traffic noise on adjacent residences and schools.

Impacts to Traffic

City streets will be impacted by bridge closures during the rebuilding of new crossings at Yakima and Delin streets, and the removal of the Tacoma Avenue crossing.  The temporary closure of these streets over the freeway will increase traffic on South M Street and Pacific Avenue.  Work on these structures will also require moving and narrowing I-5 traffic lanes through the construction workzone.

Contract documents were not completed on schedule, but will be complete in early 2005.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account