Exit133

January 12, 2015 · Exit133

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. 

Ramp closures 
From 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, the southbound Interstate 5 exit to City Center (Exit #133) will close. 

At 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Jan. 12-15, the southbound Interstate 705 on-ramp to southbound I-5 will close. The on-ramp will reopen at 6 a.m. each following morning. 

From 10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, through 6 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, crews will close the Portland Avenue on-ramp to southbound I-5. 

From 10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, through 6 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16, crews will close the State Route 167 on-ramp to southbound I-5. 

Lane closures 
At 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Jan. 12-15, northbound and southbound I-5 drivers also may encounter single lane closures between M Street and Portland Avenue. The lanes will reopen at 5 a.m. each following day. 

City of Tacoma streets 
7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 10-11, crews will close the left lane of East 27th Street between L Street and Wiley Avenue. 

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 of East 27th Street between L Street and Wiley Avenue. 


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.

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.