I-5 - HOV Improvements - S 48th Street to Pacific Ave

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending March 2004

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

This project is in the final stages of design. It is on track for advertisement for construction bidding in October 2004.

The construction work on this project has been advanced nine months to shorten the construction time from four years to three.  Early completion of this project will also avoid project overlap with adjacent projects on SR 16 across Nalley Valley in Tacoma.

Design Construction Impacts

With several of the Tacoma area freeway projects on track for simultaneous construction, it is possible that area utility companies' workload may prohibit accomplishing all needed relocations prior to Contract Advertisement. The WSDOT Utility Task Force is addressing these issues proactively.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

Minor wetland impacts will be mitigated in a proposed wetland site near the Puyallup River.

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

Impacts to Traffic

Traffic Impacts during construction will include city street bridge closures during the rebuilding of new crossings at Yakima and Delin streets, and the removal of the Tacoma Avenue crossing. Construction staging and traffic management has been carefully developed in cooperation with the City of Tacoma. The temporary closure of these streets over the freeway will increase traffic on South M Street and Pacific Avenue, the closest viable options for local traffic circulation.  Work on these structures will also require moving and narrowing I-5 traffic lanes through the construction workzone.
Project Milestones Scheduled Attained Milestone Outlook
Constructability Review January 2004 January  2004 The independent consultant review of the project's traffic management and construction phasing has validated that the best possible traffic control has been considered and will be employed.
Environmental Permits September 2004   Work is progressing on schedule to obtain all necessary project permits.
Right-of-Way Certification Spring 2004   Right of Way is acquired for the south half of the project, between South 48th and M streets. The north segment, from M Street to Pacific Avenue, is on track for certification in Spring 2004.
Contract Documents Complete September 2004  

Production is on track to deliver contract documents in September 2004.
 Contract Advertisement October 2004 Design, Environmental, and Real Estate work is on track to make this milestone.
Project Cost Summary: Dollars in
millions 		Percent
of Total

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

Preliminary Engineering $    5.0     4.9%
Right-of-Way $    5.3     5.2%
Construction $  92.0   89.9%
Funded Project Costs $102.3 100.0%

Nickel funds included in above costs

 $  93.0  90.9%

2005 Transportation Partnership Account

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