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 Contractor has completed the trenchless construction work 15 days ahead of schedule. The excavation of the detention ponds has been completed to allow use for the Contractor's temporary erosion control measures.  Work is progressing on the various noise barrier and retaining walls.

Design Construction Impacts

Utility relocation work is ongoing and is to be coordinated with the Contractor:

* City of Tacoma Power - the power relocation work included nine separate projects, eight of which have been completed.  There is one pending job, currently under construction, but it is located in an area that will not impact contract work.

* City of Tacoma Water - all advance work is complete. The final work is to be coordinated and performed in conjunction with the Delin structure demolition work.

* Puget Sound Energy - The final work is to be coordinated and performed in conjunction with the Delin structure demolition work.

Qwest has been monitoring the Contractor's activities in case of conflicts with its facilities.

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.

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

An on-site review with the Department of Ecology for erosion control was conducted in November.  The project was found to be in compliance.

Impacts to Traffic

Northbound and southbound lanes have been shifted toward the median to accommodate the drainage and wall work along the outside shoulders.  The project team will continually monitor and refresh the temporary lane lines throughout the winter.  Work will also be coordinated with winter maintenance activities such as snow and ice removal to be performed by WSDOT maintenance crews.

Motorists can continue to expect periodic lane closures on northbound and southbound I-5 throughout the project limits.  Only minimal impacts to the public will be allowed during the holiday season.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account