This map shows the vicinty of the Tukwila to Renton Improvement Project.
Current view of the I-405 / SR 167 Interchange.
View future I-405 / SR 167 Interchange improvements in our Project Library.
Project Facts
- Adds one lane each direction on I-405 between SR 181 and SR 167
- Reconfigures the SR 181 and SR 167 interchanges
- Adds two lanes each direction on I- 405 between SR 167 and SR 169
November 2008
- The Notice of Availability for the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Tukwila to Renton Improvement Project was published on July 23, 2008.
- WSDOT published the Tukwila to Renton Improvment Project Environmental Assessment (EA) on April 4, 2008.
Overview
The Tukwila to Renton Improvement Project is the second phase of improvements on I-405 between I-5 in Tukwila and SR 169 (Maple Valley Highway). The first phase of improvements on I-405 in this same area is the Renton Nickel Improvement Project (I-5 to SR 169).
In addition to the improvements included in the Renton Nickel Improvement Project (I-5 to SR 169), the Tukwila to Renton Improvement Project includes adding one lane in each direction on I-405 between SR 181 and SR 167, two lanes in each direction on I-405 between SR 167 and and SR 169, and one lane northbound on SR 167 from South 180th Street to I-405. The Tukwila to Renton Project also reconfigures the SR 181 and SR 167 interchanges, including improving High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) connections between SR 167 and I-405.
A portion of the Tukwila to Renton Improvement Project, the SR 515 (Talbot Road) Interchange, is funded for construction. These funds are from the Transportation package approved by the 2005 Washington State Legislature. The SR 515 Interchange Project, located between SR 167 and SR 169, is the first step to reconfigure the SR 167 interchange. Additional funding is required to complete the entire Tukwila to Renton Improvement Project, including the SR 167 interchange.
Why is WSDOT
improving I-405 in Tukwila and Renton?
High volumes of commuters travel through this area, making the I-405 / SR 167 interchange one of the most congested in the state. This project addresses the congestion at this critical interchange. The Tukwila to Renton Improvement Project is part of a broad master plan (pdf 260 kb)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 Tukwila to Renton Improvement Project will reduce congestion in the Tukwila and Renton areas. Completion of the project will allow for better connectivity between the SR 167 and I-405 Corridors.
Project Benefits
- Safety. The two reconfigured interchanges provide enhanced access to Renton from I-405, resulting in reduced congestion-related accidents on I-405.
- Congestion relief. The new and reconfigured interchanges reduce congestion on I-405 at the SR 167, SR 515, and SR 181 interchanges. The additional lane capacity of the project also reduces congestion.
- 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?
- May 2006: The environmental process began.
- May 23, 2006: The Design Refinement and Scoping Meeting is held.
- April 4, 2008: Environmental Assessment (EA) is published.
- July 23, 2008: Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is published.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. In addition to working closely with community councils and other local groups, 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 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 is beginning the Environmental Assessment (EA) process for this project which identifies the effects and mitigation of the project. The EA analysis will cover up to 20 different disciplines, including noise, air quality, fish and wildlife, wetlands, and parks and recreation. Throughout the process to complete the EA, the I-405 Project Team designs the project to avoid or minimize effects to the environment whenever possible. The I-405 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 retrofitting of culverts to allow for fish passage.
Watershed-based planning
Building new lanes on I-405 will create additional surface water runoff that must be captured and cleaned before it reaches the stream system. This is typically accomplished with stormwater detention ponds; however, detention ponds are expensive to build and provide only the minimal required benefits. A better solution are wetland restoration sites, which captures surface water upstream from the highway and detains it in a more natural environment. This maximizes benefits to the watershed at the same or less cost. This approach also analyzes the entire watershed, focusing on the whole rather than only at the sites of impact and minor adjustments at those sites.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Widening I-405 between I-5 and SR 169 will reduce congestion and congestion related accidents. 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
Tax (Partnership Funding) - $114 million
In 2005, the Washington State Legislature provided $110 million towards this project by passing the Transportation Partnership Funding package.
Total Funding Available From All Sources - $114 million (Additional funding required to complete entire Tukwila to Renton Project)
On November 6, 2007 voters rejected Proposition 1, the Roads and Transit investment package, which would have provided the funds necessary to complete one area of this project.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
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