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 mobilized to the site and is establishing survey control.  They have cleared the area and have begun excavation of the detention ponds and have completed the traffic control set-up to begin the trenchless construction work.

Design Construction Impacts

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

City of Tacoma Power - the power relocation work included nine separate projects - six of which have been complete.  COT had to acquire several easements which took considerably longer then expected, but all easement issues have been resolved.  There are three pending jobs - one should be completed in September, the remaining two are being scheduled for City of Tacoma crews.   Qwest and Comcast will follow Tacoma Power's relocation on the poles.

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.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

Contract documents reflect construction of warranted noise barrier walls to minimize the effects of traffic noise on adjacent residences and schools.

Storm water detention ponds will be constructed for permanent water quantity and quality treatment due to the new roadway and for use as part of the contractor’s temporary erosion control measures.

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

Impacts to Traffic

City streets will be affected 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 shifting and narrowing I-5 traffic lanes through the construction work zone.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account