Growth in the Federal Way area has increased traffic in the I-5/SR 18/SR 161 triangle beyond what the original interchange was designed to handle. About 293,000 vehicles use these three highways in this area each day. Frequent backups, particularly during peak travel times, are common.
Several years ago we started a long-term program to improve traffic flow and ease congestion in Federal Way around the I-5/SR 18/SR 161 interchange area. Phase 1 built flyover ramps from SR 18 to I-5. Phase 2 has two parts:
2021-2023 – Design phase 2A and 2B.
2023-2027 – Construct phase 2A and as much as possible of phase 2B.
The 2015 Connecting Washington transportation package allocates $85 million for work in the triangle area between 2021 and 2027. This funding will cover the cost of rebuilding the southbound I-5 interchange with SR 18 and a new southbound I-5 exit and roundabout at South 356th Street, SR 161 and 16th Street South, as well as other improvements in the area.
Kris Olsen
Communications
206-440-4704
olsenk@wsdot.wa.gov