February 2012
- Traffic on I-5 has been shifted toward the median while crews widen the outside shoulders along the interstate. Click here for this week's traffic impacts.
- Construction began June 1, 2010 and coincides with staging on the project immediately to the north (I-5, Grand Mound to Maytown).
- This project was awarded to Tri-State Construction, Inc. of Bellevue, WA on April 16.
Overview
WSDOT is widening four miles of I-5 from two lanes to three 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.
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
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: Helps address potential safety issues as I-5 traffic volumes continue to increase.
- Mobility: Increases 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: Helps increase economic development by improving freight mobility through Lewis and south Thurston counties.
What is the project timeline?
- 2006: Preliminary design and environmental documentation
- 2007: Right-of-Way acquisition and final design
- 2008: Permit acquisition began
- June 1, 2010: Construction began
- 2012: Construction scheduled for completion
Financial Information
Please see financial information on the main Web page for this series of projects.
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
WSDOT Southwest Region
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360-905-2058
E-mail: SWWebInfo@wsdot.wa.gov
or access our project feedback form.
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