Project Title: I-5 Portland Avenue to Port of Tacoma Road – Southbound HOV
Location: Tacoma, WA
Client: Atkinson / Owner WSDOT
Services: Material Testing and Inspections
Description: After completion of northbound bridge, construction on southbound HOV began. This project demolishes the existing bridge over the Puyallup River and Builds a new bridge with on HOV land and four general purpose lanes dedicated to the southbound traffic.
The most notable work to occur in this project is building a new southbound 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.
In addition to a new southbound bridge and HOV lane over the Puyallup River, this project will make numerous improvements to southbound I-5. Those improvements include:
- Modifying the Port of Tacoma Road on-ramp to southbound I-5.
- Demolishing the existing old I-5 bridges over the Puyallup River.
- Demolishing and rebuilding the L Street overpass that crosses I-5.
- Replacing existing concrete pavement from McKinley Avenue to Portland Avenue
- Upgrading signing, illumination, stormwater collection facilities, and water quality treatment facilities.
- Opening HOV lanes in both directions on I-5 from SR 16 to Fife.
The project provides many benefits to motorist safety, seismic upgrades, and traffic and operations.