The Washington State Department of Transportation recently opened a new general-purpose lane and two new auxiliary lanes on northbound I-5 running from State Route 16 in Tacoma to Port of Tacoma Road in Fife.
The project connects the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to I-5 and SR 16 in Tacoma.
Additional work included rebuilding the L Street overpass across I-5; replacing the original northbound I-5 roadway surface from McKinley Avenue to Portland Avenue; building a southbound I-5 Puyallup River Bridge that meets current seismic standards; removing the original 1962 I-5 bridges over the Puyallup River; improving stormwater collection and treatment facilities; and upgrading signing, lighting and traffic data sensors.
“Getting a fourth general-purpose lane open on northbound I-5 past I-705 is significant for commuters,” Project Engineer Tom Slimak said. “While travelers will see immediate congestion relief, we’re really looking forward to opening the new HOV lanes in late July.”
The HOV lanes will be to the left of the general-purpose lanes. In some areas, the HOV and general-purpose lanes will be separated by a barrier or a solid line.
Travelers in the HOV lane from eastbound SR 16 to northbound I-5 are forced to merge with traffic in the general-purpose lanes. When the final section of HOV lanes opens, the merge will be unnecessary.