View entire map. The Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program is a series of projects that will provide operational improvements on I-5, SR 16 and SR 167. Click on the map to view the project area and a list of the projects.
Proposed Nalley Valley interchange
Click image to learn more about the proposed SR 16 Nalley Valley interchange.
Project Facts
- Creates 79 miles of HOV lanes in Pierce County including:
35 miles on I-5;
27 miles on SR 16;
17 miles on SR 167.
- Eliminates traffic "weaving" areas at several interchange locations, where vehicles entering the freeway must merge with vehicles exiting.
- Replaces 19 interchanges and constructs nearly 50 new bridges.
Why is WSDOT
building a regional HOV program?
To understand the answer to that question, it helps to understand what HOV lanes are. HOV stands for high occupacy vehicle, and is a designation WSDOT gives to highway lanes restricted to vehicles carrying two persons or more. In the early 1990s, WSDOT began in earnest to build a core HOV system on state highways around greater Seattle, and has been expanding the system ever since.
WSDOT's core HOV system plan includes designing and constructing about 300 lane miles of HOV lanes. Currently WSDOT has built and opened about 200 of those HOV lane miles, most of which are located north of the King/Pierce County line. They can be found on numerous highways and interstates, including Interstate 5, Interstate 405, Interstate 90, State Route 520, State Route 509, State Route 525, State Route 526, State Route 167, State Route 522 and State Route 99.
In 2007, WSDOT opened its first HOV lanes in Pierce County on State Route 16. They extend from Union Avenue in Tacoma to Olympic Drive in Gig Harbor. In addition, WSDOT has completed several projects to prepare for future HOV construction on I-5 through Tacoma and Fife, so the King County HOV lanes can extend into Pierce County.
Why does WSDOT build HOV lanes?
WSDOT believes we cannot build our way out of congestion. However, we can make the best possible use of new and existing highway capacity. To that end, WSDOT has established policies regarding the HOV system. The goals of the system are:
- To maximize the people-carrying capacity of the freeway system by providing incentives to use buses, vanpools and carpools.
- To provide capacity for future travel growth.
- To help reduce transportation-related pollution and dependency on fossil fuels.
Through HOV programs and policies, we strive to make the best use of existing facilities by increasing freeway efficiency and promoting programs to move more people in fewer vehicles.
The End Result
When the the Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program is complete, you'll be able to travel in an HOV lane from Gig Harbor all the way to Everett.
Project Benefits
In addition to 79 miles of HOV lanes, these projects include many other improvements:
- Safety – Additional merge lanes, wider shoulders, improved ramp alignments and curves, and improved lighting.
- Traffic and Operations – Improved mobility due to additional capacity, better roadway alignments and the relocation of on-ramps and exits.
- Environment – Noise barriers at select locations to minimize traffic noise, enhance or expand nearby wetlands, improved methods to treat storm water runoff.
- Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) – New closed-circuit traffic cameras, more electronic signs for traveler notification, highway advisory radio broadcast transmitters, and traffic data collectors. Each of these tools helps WSDOT better manage traffic and improve communication with the traveling public.
What is the project timeline?
The Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program consists of a series of a projects that started in 2001 and will continue through 2023.
Completed Projects
We have already completed several projects within the Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program. Each project contributes to the bigger transportation picture in Pierce County.
- 2001 - I-5 - 38th Street Interchange project complete.
- 2002 - SR 16 - Sprague Avenue Interchange to Snake Lake project complete.
- 2004 - SR 16 - Pearl Street to Jackson Avenue project complete.
- 2005 - SR 16 - 36th Street Interchange to Olympic Drive project complete.
- 2007 - SR 16 - Union to Jackson Avenue complete.
- 2008 - The I-5 - South 48th Street to Pacific Avenue project is currently under construction. This project prepares for the reconstruction of the Nalley Valley.
- 2008 - The Tacoma Narrows Bridge project is part of the Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program and it is scheduled to be complete in mid-2008. On July 15, 2007, the New Tacoma Narrows Bridge opened to traffic.
In Design
These projects are currently in design. They are listed in order of future construction:
- I-5/SR 16: Westbound Nalley Valley
- I-5: Port of Tacoma Road to King County Line - HOV
- I-5: M Street to Portland Avenue - HOV
- I-5: Portland Avenue to Port of Tacoma Road - Northbound HOV
- I-5/SR 16: Eastbound Nalley Valley
- I-5: Portland Avenue to Port of Tacoma Road - Southbound HOV
- I-5/SR 16: HOV Connectors
Public Involvement
We want to hear from you. Public involvement in this project has been an ongoing effort since 1993 when we began the early study phases of the program.
Program team members have held open houses, a public design and access hearing, and made project presentations to many Tacoma-area neighborhood associations, community organizations, business groups and service organizations.
Visit us at a local event
We will have an informational booth at many community events this summer. View a listing of the upcoming events.
Schedule a presentation
Do you have an organization or agency that would be interested in a presentation? We are always looking for opportunities to provide a presentation, answer questions and receive feedback. Contact Nisha Ajmani Wade at 360-709-8116.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT has an approved environmental document for the entire I-5 and SR 16 HOV corridor. All improvements will be done within the existing freeway corridor. As each project goes through design, WSDOT evaluates potential project impacts to threatened and endangered species, wetlands, storm water runoff, air quality, and other issues. We are working with other state resource agencies to ensure the environmental benefits of our project are being best met.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Additional auxiliary lanes, wider shoulders, improved ramp alignment and curves, ramp metering along with other features will improve traveler safety.
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.
The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is a significant stakeholder in the development of the Tacoma/Pierce County Core HOV Program. As early as 1998, the Puyallup Tribe has been involved in defining projects in Tacoma and Fife, and continues to provide direct input to project staff. Ongoing tribal consultation efforts continue as project designs are defined and developed.
For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison website.
Financial Information
The programmed projects described above, that have not yet started construction, are funded through the following sources:
• 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $834,843,196
• 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) - $287,875,481
• Existing Funds - $48,110,024
• Other Agency Funds - $45,975
These funds are provided by the City of Tacoma ($27,381) and the City of Federal Way ($18,594).
• Total Funding Available From All Sources - $1,170,874,676
How can I get more information?
Contact:
WSDOT Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program
P.O. Box 47376
Olympia, WA 98504-7376
Phone: 360-709-8130 or 1-866-361-6799
E-mail: orfeedback@wsdot.wa.gov
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