SR 16 - Eastbound Nalley Valley

Project vicinity in Tacoma. 


Nalley Valley interchange after westbound construction is complete in 2011. The teal-colored road on the eastern side of the old viaduct represents a temporary eastbound traffic realignment.

 
Nalley Valley interchange after both westbound and eastbound work is complete.

The third and final phase of construction on this interchange is not scheduled for construction until 2020.  In that last phase, crews will build HOV direct-access connections and an HOV bridge between the two new viaduct structures. 

This project receives $7.8 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to accelerate preliminary engineering. 

Why is WSDOT building a new eastbound Nalley Valley Viaduct?
The existing Nalley Valley structures are too narrow to carry additional lanes. The unique tetrapod piers that support the existing Nalley Valley Viaduct prevent widening the structure.

The I-5/SR 16 Eastbound Nalley Valley project is the second of three projects that rebuild the Nalley Valley Viaduct. The first project, Westbound Nalley Valley, is now under construction.

Reconstruction of the Nalley Valley interchange is part of a series of projects to reduce congestion, improve safety and add HOV lanes in Pierce County. Learn more about the Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program.

The End Result
The end result of the eastbound viaduct work will be opening all eastbound SR 16 traffic on a new and improved eastbound viaduct structure, and opening a new ramp between South Sprague Avenue and eastbound SR 16.

In addition, both the new eastbound and westbound viaducts create ramp connections that will be used in the future for the last phase of viaduct work, which is building HOV direct-access ramps between SR 16 and I-5 HOV lanes and building an HOV bridge between the eastbound and westbound viaduct structures.

Project Benefits
As the second of three projects to reconstruct the Nalley Valley, this large project will add quite a few improvements on eastbound SR 16 across Nalley Valley.

Safety:

• Widens shoulders.
• Improves ramp alignments and curves. Improves lighting.

Traffic:

• Additional capacity improves traffic flow.
• Reduces conflicting traffic movements or weaving areas.

Environmental:

• Improves stormwater treatment;
• Restores wetlands at the Tacoma Nature Center

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS):

• Adds traffic cameras.
• Improves electronic signage for traveler notification.
• Adds highway advisory radio capacity.
• Installs traffic data collectors. WSDOT uses the data to provide traffic information to the public

Other features:

• Builds a tunnel under I-5 to provide direct connections eastbound SR 16 to I-5;
• Demolishes the existing viaduct in stages;
• Shifts the existing ramp from southbound I-5 to South 38th Street to accommodate tunnel construction;
• Builds a new ramp from South Sprague Avenue to southbound I-5
• Builds a new ramp from South Sprague Avenue to northbound I-5

What is the project timeline?

• 2009 - Design work begins. Project receives federal stimulus for preliminary engineering.
• 2011 - I-5/SR 16 Eastbound Nalley Valley design work complete and construction ready to begin when Westbound Nalley Valley project is ocmplete. 
• 2013 - The eastbound viaduct, and the ramp from southbound Sprague Avenue to eastbound SR 16, opens to eastbound traffic.

Financial Information

• 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) - $85.6 million
• 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $14.6 million
• Federal Stimulus Funds - $7.8 million
• Other Agency Funds - $1.4 million
• Total Funding Available From All Sources - $109.4 million

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Claudia Cornish, HOV Communications Manager
WSDOT Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Office
P.O. Box 47445
Olympia, WA  98504-7445
Phone: 360-709-8130
Email: cornishc@wsdot.wa.gov

Joseph Perez, Project Engineer
WSDOT Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Office
P.O. Box 47376
Olympia, WA 98504-7376
Phone: 360-709-8158
Email: perezj@wsdot.wa.gov

back to top