WSDOT Point Defiance Bypass Update

Construction has begun for the Point Defiance Bypass track and signal improvements between South Tacoma and Nisqually. The WSDOT project is funded through a federal grant and WSDOT has contracted with Sound Transit to deliver this track and signal work, since it is occurring on Sound Transit right-of-way.

The track and signal work is progressing from north to south, with most of the actual construction occurring on weekends, beginning at midnight on Fridays through 7 a.m. on Mondays. However, you may notice work crews staging materials along the route and doing preparatory work during weekdays. New track is being laid along the entire corridor and improvements are being made at five intersections that have at-grade railroad crossings, including:

• Clover Creek Drive SW
• North Thorne Lane SW
• Berkeley Street SW (as part of the city of Lakewood Madigan Access project)
• 41st Division Drive
• Barksdale Avenue

All construction in this area is expected to be completed by spring 2017. During the next two weeks, construction crews will be working in the Thorne Lane area. Improvements at that intersection will require closures and detours over the weekend of March 11-14. Details are outlined below in a release distributed by Sound Transit.

In addition, crews will be working on rehabilitating a rail bridge that spans I-5 near Mounts Road in Nisqually. That work will require overnight lane closures on I-5 the week of March 7-11. Details are available below.

For more information on the Point Defiance Bypass project, please visit our webpage at: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/rail/pnwrc_ptdefiance/