WSDOT - SR 167, Tacoma to Edgewood New Freeway Construction - September 2007 Quarterly Project Report

SR 167 - Tacoma to Edgewood New Freeway Construction
*Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending September 2007*

Project Title & Location SR 167 Extension Stage 1 (SR 509 to I-5), Tacoma/Fife SR 167/I-5 to SR 161 Stage 2, Fife/Puyallup	Project Description Funds preliminary design engineering and selective right-of-way purchases on a project that will ultimately build a new four-lane freeway from the Port of Tacoma to I-5 and six lanes from I-5 to SR 161 in Puyallup. The latter section includes two general-purpose lanes and one HOV lane in each direction.
Contractor/Consultant Project not yet advertised or awarded.
Recent Progress Funding could include $1.59 billion from the 2007 Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID) Blueprint for Progress that will be submitted to voters in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties in November 2007. These funds could pay for additional right of way and a first phase of construction. The Federal Highway Administration issued the Tier II Final Environmental Impact Statement in early December 2006. The project team continues to advance design and purchase select property along the corridor.
Design Construction Impacts Detailed construction impacts will be analyzed later in the design process.
Environmental Impacts / Compliance The Tier II Final Environmental Impact Statement includes plans to minimize or mitigate environmental impacts within the corridor’s footprint. Preliminary project engineering includes innovative environmental designs to manage stormwater, help protect area waters from pollution and improve stream habitat. The Endangered Species Act consultation was initiated by FHWA on Sept. 30, 2005.	Impacts to Traffic Upon completion, this project will complete the regional highway plan by providing a freeway connection between I-5 in Fife and the existing SR 167 freeway terminus in Puyallup.

Project Milestones	Scheduled	Attained	Milestone Outlook
Start Project Design	September 4, 2003	October 2003	Design is moving ahead on work elements not affected by the Record of Decision for the environmental documentation.
Begin Limited Right of Way Acquisition	October 2003	October 2003	Purchase of priority parcels continues as funding allows.
Environmental Documentation	December 2006		The Final EIS was distributed in early December 2006. The Record of Decision (ROD) is expected in fall 2007. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service signed its Biological Opinion (BO) on May 31, 2007. Completion of a BO by the National Marine Fisheries Service is pending.

Project Cost Summary:	Dollars in millions	Percent of Total	Planned vs. Actual Expenditures (Total Project Cost)
Preliminary Engineering	$33.72	21.1%
Right-of-Way	$126.21	78.9%
Construction	$ 0.0	0.0%
Funded Project Costs	$159.93	100.0%

Nickel funds included in above costs	$63.3	39.6%
2005 Transportation Partnership Account	$70.0	43.8%

For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects

Steve Fuchs, Project Engineer, (360) 709-8100