The orange area represents the location of the future
northbound project in Tacoma. The circled area is the area in which Stage 1 work is occurring.
View entire map.
The major construction components included in the Stage 1 project. They include ground improvements for future Puyallup River Bridge piers, building temporary erosion and sediment control ponds, constructing earth embankments, lowering Portland Avenue under I-5, and other necessary work to prepare for the
future project to replace the northbound I-5 bridge over the Puyallup River. Download
Stage1ProjectDetails.pdf (512 KB) of project details.
Why is WSDOT
making roadway and ground improvements near the I-5 bridges over the Puyallup River?
This widening and improvement project on I-5 from Portland Avenue to the Port of Tacoma sets the stage for a larger project on I-5 that will build new bridges across the Puyallup River for future HOV lanes
Crews are widening and retrofitting the I-5 bridges at Portland Avenue and Bay Street to meet current earthquake design standards, and improving the ground along I-5 to support embankments for new bridges spanning the Puyallup River.
This project is part of a series of projects to reduce congestion, improve safety and add HOV lanes in Pierce County. Learn more about the Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program.
The End Result
This project, called Stage 1, is the first of several funded projects to reconstruct I-5 between Portland Avenue and the Port of Tacoma Road. In this first contract, crews are focusing on widening and ground improvements to prepare for future projects that will ultimately help improve traffic flow on I-5 through Tacoma.
Construction is under way now on the Stage 1 project; construction on the larger northbound I-5 HOV widening project is scheduled to begin in 2012.
WSDOT’s Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program continues to piece together a long-term series of improvement projects to relieve congestion in Pierce County. Learn more about the Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program.
Project Benefits
All the work in the Stage 1 project is preparing for the larger Northbound project coming in 2012. Completing this work in advance of the larger project will reduce overall construction risks and maximize resources.
This project also provides immediate benefits for motorists, including:
- Real-time traffic information. Installs traffic cameras and sensors at strategic locations to inform travelers of traffic conditions on electronic signs, local television stations and the Web.
- Seismic Retrofit. Retrofits the I-5 bridges at Portland Avenue and Bay Street to meet current earthquake design standards
In addition, the project realigns the northbound I-5 exit to SR 167, adds high-performance median barrier at Portland Avenue and builds retaining walls to prepare for the future Puyallup River bridges.
What is the project timeline?
- May 2010: WSDOT awarded the project to Scarsella Bros., Inc. Construction.
- August 2010: Construction begins.
- Spring 2012: Project complete.
Financial Information
Project signage will reflect the cost of construction engineering, project bid award and sales tax.
- 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $21.9 million
- Other Agency Funds (Qwest)- $23,544
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $22 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Neal Uhlmeyer , Project Engineer
WSDOT Lacey Project Office
7912 Martin Way, Ste E
Olympia, WA 98516
Phone: 360-412-3420
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