Exit133

January 19, 2015 · Exit133

Construction in the Tacoma area

WSDOT starts new phase of I-5 construction in Tacoma

As part of the large I-5 improvement project underway in Tacoma called I-5: M Street to Portland Avenue HOV, crews will replace the concrete road surface with new concrete. For that work to happen, crews must remove existing concrete and truck it away. The work will occur inside northbound lanes not currently open to traffic between M Street and South Thompson/Yakima Avenue. The work is scheduled over eight nights on Monday through Thursday, Jan. 12-15 and again Monday through Thursday, Jan. 19-22. 

The ramp from southbound Interstate 705 to northbound Interstate 5 is scheduled to close three times during the week of Jan. 19 for bridge construction work. Two of the closures will begin at 9 p.m., however drivers will want to take note of one closure that will begin four hours earlier, at 5 p.m. That closure is scheduled on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

During Wednesday’s closure, contractor crews will situate heavy equipment on the ramp while building a particularly challenging foundation for a new bridge pier to support a new northbound I-5 bridge over I-705. 

Drivers leaving downtown Tacoma on Wednesday are encouraged to do so by 4:30 p.m. if possible. Drivers also are encouraged to adjust travel schedules or take alternate routes. Carpooling and taking public transportation also are good options. 

Ramp closures

  • Southbound I-705 ramp to northbound I-5 is scheduled to close at 9 p.m. on Monday Jan. 19 and Tues. Jan. 20. The ramp will reopen at 4 a.m. each following day. A detour will direct motorists onto southbound I-5 to 56th Street. From there, drivers will turn around to access northbound I-5.
  • Southbound I-705 ramp to northbound I-5 will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21. The ramp will reopen at 4 a.m. the following day. A detour will direct motorists onto southbound I-5 to 56th Street. From there, drivers will turn around to access northbound I-5. This earlier than normal closure is due to the contractor needing to situate heavy equipment on the ramp for a new bridge pier that will support a new northbound I-5 bridge over I-705.
  • From 11 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19 to 4 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, crews will close the northbound I-5 collector/distributor approaching I-705 and the southbound I-705 on-ramp to southbound I-5.
  • From 10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 to 6 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, crews will close the southbound I-5 exit to the City Center.

City of Tacoma streets

  • From 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, and again 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, crews will close the left lane East 27th Street between L Street and Wiley Avenue.
  • From 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, the right lane of eastbound Wiley Avenue from McKinley Avenue to East L Street will close.
  • Tuesday through Thursday, Jan. 20-22 : At 8 p.m., the left lane of East 27th Street from East L Street to East N Street will close. The lane will reopen at 6 a.m. each following morning.

Continued around-the-clock ramp closures:

  • Southbound Interstate 5 exit to State Route 7 remains closed until mid-February, 2015 for construction of a stormwater retention pond.
  • Northbound SR 7 on-ramp to southbound I-5 remains closed until spring 2015 for bridge construction.
  • A-Street on-ramp to northbound I-5/southbound SR 7 remains closed until spring 2016 for bridge construction.


OTHER MAINTENENCE OR CONSTRUCTION CLOSURES:

SR 167 ramp to southbound I-5 will close Saturday night, Jan. 17

The State Route 167 ramp to southbound Interstate 5 in Tacoma will close overnight starting at 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 so bridge maintenance crews with the Washington State Department of Transportation can make repairs to conduit on the ramp. Crews will re-open the ramp by 2 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 18. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes.


Tips for Driving Through Work Zones

  • Pay attention - driver inattention is the number one cause of work zone accidents.
  • Leave room between you and the car ahead of you - most work zone accidents involve someone running into the car ahead of them. Drive defensively - be aware of what is happening around you.
  • Merge into the proper lane before you reach the work zone.
  • Don't use cell phones or adjust your radio while driving through the work zone.