Project Facts
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This project will widen four miles of I-5 from two lanes to three lanes in each direction between the Blakeslee railroad junction in Lewis County (milepost 83.5) and just south of the Grand Mound interchange (Exit 88) in Thurston County.
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This project will encourage economic development in this area by improving freight mobility through Lewis and south Thurston counties.
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Anticipated construction start date is 2009.
May 2008
- WSDOT is currently working on the design and environmental analysis for this project. The project is scheduled to begin construction in spring 2009.
- WSDOT recently completed a Value Engineering study that looked at the construction staging of this project in relationship to the other projects in the vicinity.
- WSDOT is currently finalizing the designs for the stormwater treatment facilities needed for the project.
Why is WSDOT
building this project?
I-5 is the most significant freight freeway on the West Coast, linking markets in Canada, the United States and Mexico and is critical to the regional, state and national economy. It also is the busiest commuter roadway in western Washington. There is currently a 40-mile long section of I-5 from the Toutle River Safety Rest Area in Cowlitz County to the Maytown interchange in Thurston County that is still only two lanes in each direction. As a result, congestion is a problem and even minor incidents can result in significant traffic backups. The area's mobility and safety problems are expected to grow as traffic volumes increase.
Widening this segment of I-5 will help address these issues, improve traffic flow through Lewis County, and benefit freight mobility in this very important corridor.
The End Result
When finished, I-5 between the Blakeslee Railroad Junction in Lewis County and just south of the Grand Mound interchange (Exit 88) in Thurston County will be a barrier-divided interstate with three general-purpose lanes in each direction.
Project Benefits
- Safety: As traffic levels increase on this section of I-5, safety problems are expected to grow. Widening the interstate will help address these potential problems.
- Mobility: This project will increase roadway capacity and traffic flow by widening approximately four miles of I-5 between the Blakeslee Railroad Junction in Lewis County and just south of the Grand Mound interchange (Exit 88) in Thurston County.
- Economic: This project will help increase economic development in this area by improving freight mobility through Lewis and south Thurston counties.
What is the project timeline?
- 2006: Preliminary Design and Environmental Documentation begins
- 2007: Right-of-Way Acquisition begins and final design continues
- 2008: Permit Acquisition begins
- 2009: Construction is scheduled to start.
- 2011: Construction is scheduled to be completed.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Three public open houses were held in 2006 to solicit feedback from the public. On March 7, WSDOT introduced the project to the public and asked for ideas and suggestions. The May 9 open house focused on issues and options at the Mellen Street interchange. On December 5, WSDOT provided an update on the project, presented proposed improvements to I-5 as it is widened between Mellen Street and Grand Mound, and asked for comments from the public on alternatives to improve the Mellen Street interchange.
If you would like to view the display boards from the December 2006 Open House, please visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/MellentoGrandMound/
and click on the project display located under the left sidebar "Documents" header.
Public involvement efforts related to this project first began in 1992, when WSDOT started work on the I-5, Toutle Park Road to Maytown Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Multiple open houses and public meetings were held in August 1992, April 1994 and January 1997 as part of the development of the EIS. The project did not move forward at the time due to a lack of funding at the state level.
Additional public involvement opportunities will be available during the environmental and design phases of this particular project, so that residents and property owners can review and contribute to the project's plans prior to construction. WSDOT will keep the public informed about the progress of this project and any public involvement opportunities through mailings, this Web page and the local media.
For the latest public involvement meetings in southwest Washington, visit the Southwest Region's Public Involvement page.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT makes every effort to assess and minimize environmental impacts from our projects. WSDOT completed an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the I-5 between Toutle Park Road in Cowlitz County and Maytown in Thurston County in 2003. This EIS evaluated alternatives for widening this section of I-5 to a six-lane divided highway; improving, widening or replacing various interchanges, bridges and overcrossings in the area; relocating frontage roads; and other improvements.
In addition, specific environmental impacts related to construction will be analyzed and, if necessary, WSDOT will develop an appropriate plan for mitigation of impacts as part of its usual environmental documentation and permitting processes.
For environmental information specific to this project, please contact Erin Gardner at (360) 905-2185, or e-mail GARDNEE@wsdot.wa.gov.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Widening I-5 in this area will address and improve growing safety concerns as traffic levels increase on this section of I-5.
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.
WSDOT has initiated consultation with appropriate tribal governments and will continue to consult with the tribes throughout the process.
For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison website.
Financial Information
The Governor's 2007-09 proposed budget requests $197 million for the entire I-5 Mellen to Grand Mound Corridor project.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Area Engineer Colin Newell
WSDOT Chehalis Project Office
1411 Rush Road
Chehalis, WA 98532
Phone: 360-740-8600, or toll-free 1-866-713-2412
E-mail: swChehalis@wsdot.wa.gov
or
Communications Manager Sylvia Ross
WSDOT Southwest Region
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360-905-2058
E-mail: RossSy@wsdot.wa.gov
Or access our project feedback form.
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