This map shows the project limits for Stage 2 of the I-405/I-5 to SR 169 Widening Project.
View Renton Stage 2 and SR 167 planned improvements in our
Project Library.
Project Facts
- Constructs a new half-diamond interchange at SR 515, including an off-ramp from southbound I-405 to SR 515 and an on-ramp from SR 515 to northbound I-405
- Adds a north and southbound lane on I-405 between SR 167 and SR 169
- Reconstructs the Benson Road Bridge over I-405
May 2008
- The Tukwila to Renton Improvement Project Envrionmental Assessment was published on April 4, 2008. The comment period for this project ends on Mya 19th.
- The SR 515 Interchange Access Hearing was held in Spring 2007.
Overview
WSDOT is building a new half-diamond interchange on I-405 east of the I-405 / SR 167 interchange at SR 515 (Talbot Road) to improve access to downtown Renton and relieve traffic demand on the I-405 interchanges at SR 167 and SR 169. In the future when additional funding is authorized, it is anticipated that a second half-diamond interchange will be constructed on I-405 west of the I-405 / SR 167 interchange at Lind Avenue. With the completion of a one-way couplet frontage road system to connect the two half-diamond interchanges, access to Renton and I-405 operations will be greatly improved.
The Stage 2 project also constructs one additional lane in each direction between SR 167 and SR 169. The Benson Road Bridge over I-405 will also be reconstructed with the Stage 2 Project.
Why is WSDOT
constructing this Project?
The Stage 2 Project will reduce traffic congestion, improve safety and improve access to Renton, particularly to Talbot Hill and the Soos Creek Plateau. This project is a step forward to address the congestion in the Renton area. This new project is part of a broad long-range plan approved in 2002 by the cities and counties along the corridor, the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Authority, Sound Transit, King County Metro and WSDOT. This vision includes four new freeway lanes, bus rapid transit and other improved transit services, additional HOV direct-access points, vanpools, carpool lanes and more park-and-ride spaces.
The End Result
The completion of the new interchange at SR 515 will improve access to Renton and complete a first step in reducing congestion in the Renton area on I-405. The additional lanes on I-405 will increase the I-405 general purpose roadway capacity by 50%.
Project Benefits
- Safety. The new interchange provides enhanced access to Renton from I-405, resulting in reduced congestion-related accidents.
- Congestion relief. The new interchange reduces congestion at I-405 interchanges at SR 167 and SR 169 and for the SR 167 interchange at S 180th St. The new interchange improves access to neighborhoods southeast of Renton. The I-5 to SR 169 Stage 2 Project reduces congestion by adding a northbound and sounthbound lane, increasing capacity between SR 167 and 169.
- Environment. WSDOT's I-405 Corridor Program team is designing the project to avoid and minimize impacts to the environment.
What is the project timeline?
- The Renton Nickel Improvement Project EA was published on October 2, 2006.
- The Environmental Assessment for the Tukwila to Renton Improvement Project began in 2006.
- The Envrionmental Assessment for the Tukwila to Renton Improvement Project was published on April 4, 2008.
- Construction is scheduled to begin in 2009 and open to traffic in 2011.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. In addition to contacting community councils and other local groups with which the I-405 project team is working closely, the project team offers opportunities for public information and discussion. Please send the team an e-mail if you would like to be added to the project mailing list. You will be kept posted via e-mail on the project’s status and on further participation opportunities as the project progresses. Also, feel free to check this regularly updated web page for information. If you have comments or feedback please e-mail Craig Kanaya in the public information department for the I-405 Corridor Program at craig.kanaya@i405.wsdot.wa.gov
Environmental Protection
WSDOT's I-405 Corridor Program team will complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Tukwila to Renton Improvement Project, including SR 515 Interchange improvements. The EA will identify the project effects and mitigation opportunities, and covers up to twenty different disciplines, such as noise, air quality, fish and wildlife, wetlands, and parks and recreation. Throughout the process to complete the EA, the I-405 Project team is designing the project to avoid or minimize effects to the environment whenever possible. I-405 Corridor Program projects have benefits that improve the environment for people, wildlife, and habitat such as improved water quality, restored and enhanced stream and wetland habitat, and improving streams to allow for fish passage.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
The new interchange reduces traffic demand on the I-405 interchanges at SR 167 and SR 169, providing new access into downtown Renton, reducing congestion-related accidents in the Renton area. Congestion-related accidents – rear-end and side-swipe crashes – make up the largest percentage of accidents on I-405.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
This project will not affect tribal reservations lands. The I-405 Corridor Program works closely with tribes throughout the environmental process to ensure that the project avoids or minimizes any effects on archaeological sites, tribal traditional cultural properties, and natural resources. WSDOT will follow an Unanticipated Discovery Plan if unknown archaeological materials are encountered during construction.
At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the Tribes by using the process outlined in the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Washington Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan and Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
The NHPA was enacted to address the publics concern that many of the nation's historic resources were being overlooked in the public works project process. NHPA Section 106 requires government agencies such as WSDOT to evaluate the impact of all government-funded construction projects. Under the act, agencies maintain their own preservation program, and are required to incorporate advice from historic preservation professionals.
For more information, visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison Web page.
Financial Information
- 2003 Transportation Account (Nickel funding) - $ 55 million
- 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $121 million. In 2005, the Washington State Legislature provided funding towards this project by passing the Transportation Partnership Funding package.
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $176 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
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