Project Title & Location
I-5 HOV - Port of Tacoma to King County Line

Project Description
This project builds HOV lanes on I-5 from the Port of Tacoma Road to the Pierce/King County line. There are currently eight lanes of traffic and there will be 10 lanes when the project is complete.

Contractor/Consultant
Project not yet advertised or awarded

Recent Progress

Recent progress includes development of new contract plan sheets and conversion of previously designed contract plans from metric to English to reflect WSDOT’s policy to move back to English standards.

An engineering consultant has developed a hydraulics report for the stormwater conveyance system of the project to a 30% completion level. This work focuses on the evaluation of alternatives for stormwater treatment that meet current water quality standards. A final draft of the hydraulics report is expected in August.

Design Construction Impacts

HOV by-pass lanes will be constructed for the 54th Avenue on-ramps, and as a result, there will be minimal impacts to wetlands. As a result of the widening of I-5 and the ramps, six bridges over Wapato Creek and Hylebos Creek will require widening.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

Innovative stormwater treatment design will be required due to high ground water levels and the close proximity to Puget Sound.  Additionally, Efforts to find a suitable site to mitigate for the wetland impacts of the project has led to a potential partnering project with the City of Federal Way to purchase a parcel along Hylebos Creek.

Impacts to Traffic
This project will add an HOV lane in the northbound and southbound directions of I-5 increasing mobility at this location. Temporary impacts during construction could include narrow lanes along with nighttime lane closures and minor detours at the 54th Avenue Interchange.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account