WSDOT - Tacoma to Edgewood New Freeway Construction - March 2005 Quarterly Project Report

SR 167 - Tacoma to Edgewood New Freeway Construction
*Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending March 2005*

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 Preliminary Design for Stage 1 (SR 509 to I-5) has started. The engineering design team is developing basic roadway alignments and geometry. Geotechnical investigations have begun in order to provide recommendations for early design decisions. A consultant is finishing the Cost Estimate Validation Process (CEVP) Report. This evaluation of the program will provide updated estimates that will be used to identify funding options for land acquisition and construction. Carter & Burgess has been hired to help WSDOT determine the best construction sequencing for the project. On March 29, 2005 the consultant will present their recommendations for construction sequencing for the new freeway from the Port of Tacoma to Interstate 5 (Stage 1).
Design Construction Impacts Design work is focused on identifying and cataloging issues and risks for further evaluation in the design process.
Environmental Impacts / Compliance The Tier II Draft environmental impact statement was distributed to the public in February 2003. In response to comments received, additional studies are being performed. The Preliminary Final environmental impact statement is in progress. A Biological Assessment and Conceptual Mitigation Plan are under development.	Impacts to Traffic When completed, this project will complete the regional highway plan by providing a freeway connection between the Cities of Puyallup and Tacoma.

Project Milestones	Scheduled	Attained	Milestone Outlook
Start Project Design	October 2003	October 2003	Design is moving ahead on those work elements that are not impacted 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	July 2006		Continuing to work through the Signatory Agency Committee process with hopes of reaching concurrence in the near future.

Project Cost Summary:	Dollars in millions	Percent of Total	Planned vs. Actual Expenditures (Total Project Cost)
Preliminary Engineering	$33.7	41.4%
Right-of-Way	$47.7	58.6%
Construction	$ 0.0	0.0%
Funded Project Costs	$81.4	100.0%

Nickel funds included in above costs	$63.3	77.8%
2005 Transportation Partnership Account

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

Steve Fuchs, Project Engineer, (360) 570-6602, fuchss@wsdot.wa.gov