Two lanes of traffic, one going north and one going south, opened 2 p.m. Friday on the D Street Overpass, located at the intersection of D Street and Puyallup Avenue. These two lanes are for vehicles only, and there will be no pedestrian access at this time.
When the first two lanes opened, vehicle and pedestrian access was shut down on Dock Street where it intersects with D Street to allow the City’s contractor, MidMountain Contractors, Inc., to focus on making the final connection from Dock Street to the overpass bridge deck, while creating the two final lanes of the overpass.
Also, several traffic barriers for the overpass have been cast and installed in the shape of tugboats. Twenty-six of these tugboats, that require one-by-one construction, will be cast throughout the duration of the project. Three overlooks will also be constructed and will include four interpretive panels that describe the history, geography and cultural richness of this area.
This project is scheduled to be complete in March or April.
East D Street serves as a major corridor for rail and truck freight and for people wanting to access the revitalized Thea Foss Waterway. The $24.5 million D Street Overpass separates train and motor vehicle traffic by raising the roadway over the railroad tracks. The overpass will provide for realignment of the railroad tracks to ease the curve around the South end of the Thea Foss Waterway — allowing train traffic to move at a higher speed. Vehicle traffic, which includes trucks carrying freight, no longer will need to wait for the trains that previously closed off D Street to traffic. The project also will create a pedestrian connection between the Dome District and the Thea Foss Waterway esplanade and parks. For more information, visit http://www.cityoftacoma.org/dstreet .