Project Title & Location
1)  6th Ave. to Jackson Ave. - HOV, Tacoma 
2)  36th St. to Olympic Drive NW - HOV, Gig Harbor
3)  Union Ave. to Jackson Ave. - HOV, Tacoma

Project Description
This project constructs HOV Lanes on SR 16 from Olympic Drive in Gig Harbor to Union Avenue in Tacoma. There are currently four travel lanes. There will be six lanes throughout the corridor when complete, with additional lanes provided between Union Avenue and 6th Avenue interchanges.

Contractor/Consultant
Phase One: Tri-State Construction, Inc.   Phase Two: Woodworth and Company.    Phase Three: Tri-State Construction, Inc.

Recent Progress

Construction is physically complete on the first phase of this project, 6th Avenue to Jackson Avenue. 
Construction is physically complete on the second phase of this project, 36th Street to Olympic Drive.  
Construction is substantially complete on the third phase of this project, Union Avenue to Jackson Avenue. 

Accomplishments
Substantial completion was granted for the Union Ave to Jackson Ave phase on March 6, 2007.

The new Center Street offramp opened December 21, 2006.
Eastbound HOV lane opened to traffic January 26, 2007.
The new frontage road between 6th Ave and Pearl St. opened February 8, 2007.


Upcoming Activities 
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Scott Pierson Trail scheduled for May 12, 2007 at Cheney Stadium.

Ramp metering systems may be put into service in the westbound direction XXX. Ramp metering in the eastbound direction will be activated to coincide with the opening of the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Other ITS elements like traffic flow information on the internet will be available by XXX .

Plant Establishment at Snake Lake will continue until early 2008. 

Design Construction Impacts
Recent rains have exposed a weakness in the drainage design near Cheney Stadium. The stormwater ponds filled beyond capacity and one onramp was partially flooded. We are exploring options for connecting an overflow outlet to City stormwater system. Once a solution is developed, a small contract will be let to complete this work.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

For phase three of this project, 32 acres at Leach Creek mitigation site, is in WSDOT possession. Wetland Mitigation planting has been completed in that area.  Additional mitigation includes storm water treatment at Leach Creek which will take place summer 2007 and funding of improvements at China Lake.

WSDOT staff conducted monthly walk-throughs with Department of Ecology staff to review work activities and BMP's on the project. In a recent email, DOE recognized the hard work of Region and Project Office staff and their proactive approach to this project. DOE felt the project benefitted from their efforts to work through problems together and by coordinating the monthly walk throughs.

Impacts to Traffic
No more traffic impacts are anticipated.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account