WSDOT Projects

View entire map. This project will construct SR 704 which will effectively link SR 7 (Pacific Avenue) to Interstate 5.

Check out the planned corridor and project features.

Project Facts

• New multi-lane six-mile arterial corridor.
• Improved interchange at Thorne Lane. New connecting road from Gravelly Lake Drive to Thorne Lane.
• Roadway/railway separation at Thorne Lane. New interchange to provide direct access between military bases.

Why is WSDOT designing this project?
The project is intended to improve transportation system linkage and capacity between Pierce County and destinations along the I-5 corridor for the efficient movement of people and goods. On Aug. 3, 2004 the environmental Record of Decision (pdf 284 kb) was issued by FHWA, making WSDOT the lead agency on the project. 

This project will address the following needs:

• Reduce traffic volumes and congestion on existing roadways such as SR 7, SR 512, SR 507, Spanaway Loop Road, and 174th Street South.
• Provide a direct arterial link in the mid-Pierce County area in proximity with the Cities of Lakewood and DuPont for the movements of vehicles, public transit, freight, pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
• Improve public safety by providing faster and direct emergency vehicle access between Pierce County and medical facilities such as Madigan Army Hospital.
• Improve access to and between the military installations by providing an exclusive roadway between Fort Lewis Military Reservation and McChord Air Force Base.

The End Result
When complete, the Cross-Base Highway (SR 704) will provide regional travelers with a new six-mile-long, multi-lane divided highway beginning at the I-5 Thorne Lane Interchange at the west end, connecting to 176th Street at SR 7 at the eastern terminus. This new alternate east-west route will ease congestion on Interstate 5, State Routes 512 and 7, Spanaway Loop Road, and 174th Street, by providing a route through the Fort Lewis and McChord military bases.

Project Benefits

• Congestion Relief. The I-5 corridor, SR 512, and SR 7, along with county roads, will experience congestion relief and reduced delays as a result of this new project.
• Highway Safety. This new highway will be designed to modern safety standards with full-width lanes and shoulders. The new interchange at Thorne Lane on I-5 will improve traffic flows and enhance safety.
• Environmental Benefits. This project will meet and exceed the latest environmental standards, including the development of a 358-acre habitat to protect and enhance the environment.

What is the project timeline?
The SR 704 Cross-Base Highway is divided into five independent projects. Project 1, Spanaway Loop Rd to SR 7, is currently advertised for bid. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2008.

Public Involvement
The Washington State Department of Transportation values public input in all phase of project development. To find out how you can get involved in this project contact Lisa Murdock, WSDOT Communications, at (360) 357-2789.

Environmental Protection
Protecting the environment is important to all of the project partners and stakeholders. The environmental documentation (ROD) is available here.

This environmental study has been a tremendous effort by the project partners, stakeholders, and the public to discover and identify environmental concerns and the best courses of action to protect the environment while providing for this new route.

Several environmental protection commitments are anticipated, including the following:

• Developing a 358-acre habitat to preserve and enhance plant life and wildlife.
• Providing modern facilities designed to enhance and filter storm water runoff from the roadway.
• Meeting or exceeding local and state requirements regarding erosion and sediment control, biofiltration swales, groundwater protection, pretreatment basins, pollutant control and stormier treatment.
• Protecting the Central Pierce County sole-source aquifer.
• Providing barriers to reduce traffic noise on adjacent lands.
• Bridging wetlands to minimize harm.
• Providing wildlife corridor passages to allow for continued movement of wildlife within habitat zones

The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was finalized in September 2003 and the Record of Decision (ROD) was issued in August 2004 for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The FEIS for the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) was adopted in June 2007, pursant to WAC 197-11-630 Adoption Procedures. The SEPA Determination of Significance (DS) and adoption notice were published in The News Tribune on June 19th, 2007.

Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Since this project will create a new east-west arterial connecting I-5 and SR 7, it will have a positive impact on the existing area freeways and county roadways by reducing traffic volumes and congestion which results in enhanced safety for motorists.

Will this project impact tribal resources?
At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.

Both the Nisqually Tribe and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians have been significant stakeholders in the development of the this project, working with project partners to help identify environmental concerns and historical values during the environmental planning process. It is crucial that this relationship continues through all phases of this project.

For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison website.

Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:

• 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $15,019, 024
• 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) - $14,999,999
• Other Agency Funds - $12,933,875 High Priority - SAFETEA-LU ($6,120,024), Highway Demonstration Project ($1,475,892), Public Lands Highways - FFY 1992 ($684,708), STP - Urban Areas less than 200,000 Population($2,500,001), Interstate Discretionary ($2,125,000)
• Total Funding Available From All Sources - $42,952,898

On November 6, 2007 voters rejected Proposition 1, the Roads and Transit investment package, which would have provided funding for this project.

The total estimated cost for the project is $318 million (based on 2006 dollars).

For project schedule and updates, please see the Quarterly Project Report.

A benefit/cost analysis was completed in April 2007.

How can I get more information?
Contact:
John Ho, Project Engineer
P.O. Box 47445
Olympia, WA 98504-7445
Phone: (360) 570-6660
Toll-free: 1-888-461-8843
Email: hojohn@wsdot.wa.gov

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