Project vicinity in Tacoma. View
entire map.
The above aerial photo shows I-5 crossing the Puyallup River now. View
larger image.
This photo is a computer-enhanced image of what I-5 will look like after the new northbound bridge is completed. Note that all northbound and southbound I-5 traffic will temporarily be shifted onto the new northbound bridge. View
larger image.
The good news about this temporary configuration is that traffic will be able to move through the area while crews demolish the existing bridges and build a new southbound bridge.
The not-so-good news about this temporary configuration is that the new northbound bridge, although wider, will not be wide enough to carry all I-5 traffic as well as northbound and southbound HOV lanes. The HOV lanes will be available to HOV traffic only after the southbound bridge is complete and traffic is moved onto its respective bridges.
Why is WSDOT
building new I-5 bridges over the Puyallup River along with new HOV lanes?
This project is part of the Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program, a series of highway projects to provide operational improvements and high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes on Interstate 5 (I-5), State Route 16 (SR 16), and State Route 167 (SR 167). Through Tacoma, heavy I-5 traffic creates frequent congestion. HOV lanes will help ensure that transit, vanpools and carpools move efficiently through the corridor, especially when traffic is congested in the adjacent general-purpose lanes. This reliability tends to increase ridership in multi-passenger vehicles and thereby helps ease demand in the general-purpose lanes, making the overall highway system work better for everyone.
The most notable work to occur in this project is building a new northbound Puyallup River Bridge that will be straighter and wider than the existing bridge. Both of these features are improvements that will help traffic move smoothly through the area.
After the northbound bridge is built, crews will build a new southbound bridge adjacent to the northbound bridge. When that work is complete, the bridges will accommodate a northbound and southbound HOV lane.
The End Result
This project widens I-5 from Portland Avenue to the Port of Tacoma Road to provide room for one HOV lane in each direction and four general-purpose lanes in each direction. As part of this project, WSDOT will also rebuild the I-5 Puyallup River bridges, reconstruct the I-5/SR 167 interchange, improve the Portland Avenue interchange and repave all the lanes on I-5 within the project limits.
To maximize efficiencies in construction, WSDOT is doing preliminary construction in advance of the northbound bridge project. The preliminary work, called Stage 1, has been under way since fall 2010 and it focuses on roadway work and ground improvements. Specifically, this early work includes:
• widening and seismically retrofitting I-5 bridges over Portland Avenue and Bay Street;
• lowering Portland Avenue under I-5 to maintain vertical clearance;
• building retaining walls;
• realigning northbound I-5 exit to SR 167;
• performing ground improvements;
• constructing earth approach embankments for the future northbound Puyallup River bridge;
• building temporary erosion and sediment control ponds;
• installing temporary highway lighting;
• installing “intelligent transportation system” hardware such as highway loop sensors and traffic cameras that gather traffic information to help WSDOT monitor traffic; and
• making various storm sewer modifications.
Project Benefits
This project will provide a number of benefits to motorists.
Safety
- Widens shoulders.
- Improves ramp alignments and curves.
- Improves lighting.
- Adds new concrete barrier to protect drivers.
Seismic Upgrades
- New bridges and walls will be built to current seismic standards.
- The Portland Street and Bay Street bridges will be retrofitted to meet current seismic standards for existing structures.
Traffic and Operations
- Additional capacity will improve traffic flow.
- Reduces conflicting traffic movements or weaving areas.
- Adds on-ramp metering to maintain traffic flow.
Environmental Improvements
- Improves stormwater collection and treatment.
Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Improvements
- Adds traffic cameras.
- Improves electronic signage for traveler notification.
- Adds highway advisory radio capacity.
- Installs traffic data collectors. WSDOT uses data from the collectors to provide traffic information to the public and to monitor traffic conditions.
Information gathered from ITS devices helps WSDOT respond more quickly to highway incidents, which in turn helps reduce traffic delays and blockages caused by incidents.
What is the project timeline?
The Stage 1 portion of this project is under construction with contractor Scarsella Bros.
The main Northbound project is in the design phase. Construction on the main Northbound project is scheduled to occur between 2012 and 2015. Currently the project is scheduled to go on advertisement in early June 2012.
Financial Information
Project signage will reflect the cost of construction engineering, project bid award and sales tax.
- 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $304.7 million
- Other Agency Funds - $1.1 million
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $305.8 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
For questions about the I-5: Portland Avenue to Port of Tacoma Rd Northbound HOV project, please contact:
Dean Moon, Project Engineer
WSDOT Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program
PO Box 47376
Olympia, WA 98504-7376
Phone: 360-709-8130
For general questions about the HOV Program please contact:
Claudia Bingham Baker
Communications Manager
WSDOT Olympic Region
(360) 357-2789
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