WSDOT Projects

View entire map. Project area is on I-5 and runs between the Port of Tacoma Road and the King/Pierce County line.

 
Existing Condition

 
Proposed Design

In this project, crews will build 3.6 miles of both northbound and southbound HOV lanes that will connect with existing HOV lanes in King County. The new HOV lanes will be built into the highway median, and will cause only minimal disruption to traffic during construction. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2009 and end in 2012.

Project Facts

• Creates 3.6 miles of HOV lanes for each northbound and southbound I-5.
• Provides traffic cameras for monitoring traffic flows.
• Six bridges will be widened to provide additional lanes.

Why is WSDOT building HOV lanes?
This project part of the Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program, a series of highway projects to provide operational improvements and high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes on Interstate 5 (I-5), State Route 16 (SR 16), and State Route 167 (SR 167). Through Tacoma, heavy I-5 traffic creates frequent congestion in this area. HOV lanes will ensure that transit, vanpools and carpools can move efficiently through the corridor, especially when traffic is congested in the adjoining general-purpose lanes. This reliability tends to increase ridership in multi-passenger vehicles and thereby helps ease demand in the general-purpose lanes, making the overall highway system work better for everyone.

The End Result
In this project, crews will widen I-5 for HOV lanes in each direction between the Port of Tacoma Road and the King/Pierce County line. Six bridges crossing Wapato Creek and Hylebos Creek will be widened. Traffic cameras will be added to monitor traffic flows and to inform drivers of traffic conditions via WSDOT's traffic Web sites.  In addition, metering signals will be installed on the northbound and southbound on-ramps at the 54th Avenue Interchange. The on-ramps will also be widened to allow HOV traffic to bypass the ramp metering signals.

Project Benefits

• Congestion Relief. This project will relieve I-5 congestion when connected to the other portions of HOV lanes constructed in the Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program.
• Traffic Cameras. Traffic cameras at strategic locations will inform travelers of current traffic conditions via electronic signboards, local television stations and the Web.
• HOV Lanes. HOV lanes will provide an alternative transportation mode to those who are able to share the ride.  The HOV lanes in this project will join with the existing HOV lanes in King County, extending the statewide HOV system. 

What is the project timeline?
The design work is currently underway. Right of way purchasing began in spring of 2005. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2009. The entire project is scheduled to be complete and open to traffic in 2012.

Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. There have been many opportunities for the public to become informed and to inform us of their preferences and concerns, leading to completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement in 2000, as well as influencing project designs since then.

Other recent public involvement was accomplished with the formation of advisory committees. These consist of local community members and their elected local and regional representatives working with WSDOT to come up with ideas to meet design challenges. We enjoy bringing our message and information to community groups, and if you like to request a presentation for your group or organization, please contact Claudia Cornish, HOV Communications Manager. 

Environmental Protection
WSDOT is committed to preserving the environment and makes every effort to assess and minimize environmental impacts from our projects. A detailed analysis of the project's environmental impacts will be completed and an appropriate plan for mitigation of adverse impacts will be developed and documented as part of the environmental documentation and environmental permitting processes. Within project limits, I-5 crosses Wapato Creek and Hylebos Creek. WSDOT will use state-of-the-art roadway design to minimize impacts to these important resources.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental Services Web site for more information.

Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Ramp metering, guardrail upgrades and installations of additional traffic cameras are being done to provide a safer place to travel. Ramp metering at the Port of Tacoma interchange will provide gaps between merging vehicles thus reducing the hazards created by large numbers of vehicles attempting to merge in a "pack." Upgrades to guardrail and impact attenuators will also increase the safety on this section of highway.

Will this project impact tribal resources?
At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians has been a significant stakeholder in the development of the Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program. The Puyallup Tribe has been involved in defining projects in Tacoma and Fife, providing direct input to minimize impacts to tribal lands.

For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison web site.

Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:

• 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) - $44,358,449
• Existing Funds - $4,877,594
• Other Agency Funds - $18,860
• Total Funding Available From All Sources - $49,254,903

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Claudia Cornish, HOV Communications Manager
Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Office
PO Box 47376
Olympia, WA 98504-7376
Phone: 360-709-8130
Email: cornishc@wsdot.wa.gov

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