The Washington State Department of Transportation recently initiated the construction phase of the Puget Sound Gateway Program, which will connect Tacoma’s and the Ports of Seattle’s manufacturing and industrial centers.
The program encompasses two projects. The first is the completion of State Route 167, and the second is the completion of State Route 509. Phase one aspects of the projects are expected to be constructed by 2026, while phase two aspects will be constructed between 2024 and 2028.
SR 167 currently ends in Puyallup. Four miles will be added to connect the highway to I-5 in Fife. A two-mile connection from I-5 to the Port of Tacoma also will be added.
SR 509 will be extended to create a new southern access point to Sea-Tac International Airport and provide an alternative to I-5 and SR 99.
“This is exactly the kind of smart investment we need to make to address our transportation priorities because it pays dividends that include thousands of new jobs, easier access to our ports for Washington state products, and more transportation choices,” Gov. Jay Inslee said at the Washington Department of Transportation kickoff.
The program is funded primarily by the 2015 Connecting Washington transportation revenue package as well as federal grants, local contributions, and tolls.