The new six lane Smokey Point bridge which crosses Interstate 5 was opened to traffic on December 9, 2005. WSDOT will now turn its attention to improving the on and off ramps at this interchange by:
• building a two lane loop ramp for traffic heading westbound on State Route 531 wanting to access southbound I-5. It will have an HOV by-pass lane and a metered general-purpose lane. The existing I-5 southbound off-ramp will be realigned to accommodate the new loop ramp.
• realigning and widening both the southbound and northbound I-5 access ramps, and by connecting the access ramps to the six lane bridge built as part of phase I.
• building right-hand turn lanes and new traffic signals at all of the access ramps.
• widening the existing eastbound SR 531 to southbound I-5 on ramp to include an HOV bypass lane and a metered general-purpose lane.
• widening the existing I-5 NB off-ramp to a two lane exit ramp.
• improving lighting, striping, signing, guardrail, and fencing.