WSDOT Construction Updates: Pierce County

1. I-5, Pierce/King County Line to Tukwila HOV Lanes – Pierce County

This phase of a $280 million project to add High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes in both directions of Interstate 5 between Tukwila and the Pierce/King County line is now underway. Work began April 2005, and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2007. For the week of June 27, motorists can expect closures of the two left lanes of southbound I-5 between the SR 18 interchange and the Pierce/King county line (mileposts 141.62 – 139.5) Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 1. The first lane will close at 8 p.m. and the second lane at 11 p.m. Both lanes will be reopened by 6 a.m. the following morning. Also, there will be a closure of the right lane of southbound I-5 between South 336th Street and the SR 18 interchange (mileposts 142.79 – 141.62) for excavation work Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 1 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Then, Wednesday, June 29 through Friday, July 1 there will be single-lane closures eastbound and westbound SR 18 at the I-5 interchange from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for lane realignment. Additionally, motorists will encounter complete closures of both the southbound I-5 exit to eastbound SR 18, and the northbound I-5 exit to westbound SR 18 for lane realignment on Wednesday, June 29 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

2. SR 7/SR 706, Alder to Mount Rainier Nat’l Park Paving – Pierce County

A $1.8 million project to overlay a portion of SR 7 from Alder to Elbe (Mileposts 22.65 – 16.82) and three sections of SR 706 between Elbe and Mount Rainier National Park; near the SR 7 interchange (mileposts 0.00 – 0.75), between Park Junction Road and 238th Avenue East (mileposts 2.55 – 4.00), and from Kernahan Road East to the park entrance (mileposts 10.20 – 13.64) is now underway. This project includes new pavement markings, new bridge rail, raising guardrail, and installing new signing. Motorists can expect alternating piloted traffic control during the day. Work began early June 2005, and is scheduled for completion in late summer of 2005. There will be no construction delays to traffic on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. For the week of June 27, there should be no impact to motorists as a result of the contractor’s activities.

3. SR 16, Tacoma Narrows Bridge Project – Pierce County

The project, now in its third year of construction, continues to move forward quickly. The eastbound and westbound lanes of SR 16 have been narrowed to 11 feet each on either side of the bridge to create construction zones for earthwork, retaining wall work, and other highway construction activities. Until further notice, the speed limit is reduced to 45 mph throughout the project area. Construction began in October 2002, and is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2007. For the week of June 27, motorists can expect single right lane closures eastbound SR 16 Monday through Wednesday, June 27-29 as crews paint the median wall near the toll plaza. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

4. SR 16, Union Avenue to Jackson Avenue HOV – Pierce County

Work continues on this $47.2 million phase of a project designed to increase capacity and provide High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes and other improvements to SR 16 between Interstate 5 and the Gig Harbor community. Work has necessitated the complete closure of the westbound SR 16 off-ramp to South Tyler Street, as well as the eastbound SR 16 on- and off-ramps at South Center Street. Additionally, the westbound lanes of SR 16 between Union Avenue and South 19th Street have been shifted to the right in order to create a construction zone in the median. Work began March 2005, and is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2007. For the week of June 27, there should be no impact to traffic as a result of the contractor’s activities.

5. SR 16, 36th Street NW to Olympic Drive NW HOV – Pierce County

Work on this $3.8 million phase of a project designed to increase capacity and provide High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes and other improvements to SR 16 between Interstate 5 and the Gig Harbor community is underway. Work began April 2005, and is scheduled for completion August 2005. For the week of June 27, motorists can expect nightly single right- and left-lane closures of SR 16 throughout the project limits (mileposts 9.96 – 11.20) in the eastbound direction; Monday through Thursday, June 27-30 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., and Friday, July 1 from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., and in the westbound direction; Monday through Thursday, June 27-30 from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., and Friday, July 1 from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. In addition, there will be daily right- and left-shoulder closures eastbound and westbound SR 16 Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 1 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

6. SR 161, 255th St. E. to 234th St. E. – Pierce County

A $430,000 project is now underway to resurface a portion of SR 161 (Meridian Avenue East) between 255th Street East and 234th Street East (mileposts 16.30 – 17.58). The project includes new pavement markings and signing. For the week of June 27, motorists can expect nightly lane closures with flagged traffic control northbound and southbound SR 161 throughout the project limits Monday through Thursday, June 27-30 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. There will be no impact to traffic as a result of the contractor’s activities Friday night.

7. SR 161, 234th St. E. to 204th St. E. – Pierce County

This $6.9 million project to widen SR 161 (Meridian Avenue East) between 234th Street East and 204th Street East (mileposts 17.58 – 19.47) from two lanes to four lanes with a two-way left turn lane continues. The project includes new traffic signal systems on SR 161 at Eustis Hunt Road East and 204th Street East, a new railroad signal, and modifications to the existing signal system at 224th Street East. Grading, paving, storm water retention ponds, sidewalk installation, pavement markings, signing, illumination, and other work is also included in this project. Construction began September 2003, and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2005. For the week of June 27, motorists can expect daily right shoulder closures northbound and southbound SR 161 throughout the project limits Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 1, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and nightly lane closures with flaggers in the same area Monday through Thursday, June 27-30, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. There will be no impact to traffic as a result of the contractor’s activities Friday night.

8. SR 161, 204th St. E. to 176th St. E. – Pierce County

A $5.1 million project beginning early this summer will widen SR 161 (Meridian Avenue East) between 204th Street East and 176th Street East (mileposts 19.47 – 21.40) from two lanes to four lanes with a two-way left turn lane. This project provides for a new signal system at the intersection of SR 161 and 200th Street East and a revised signal system at the intersection of SR 161 and 176th Street East. Grading, paving, storm water retention ponds, sidewalk installation, pavement markings, signing, illumination, and other work will also be included in this project. For the week of June 27, motorists can expect daily right shoulder closures northbound and southbound SR 161 between 194th Street East and 176th Street East (mileposts 20.08 – 21.40) Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 1. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will also be flagger controlled nightly lane closures northbound and southbound throughout the project area Monday through Thursday, June 27-30, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. There will be no impact to traffic as a result of the contractor’s activities Friday night.

9. SR 161, 176th St. E. to 128th St. E. – Pierce County

This $7.3 million project to improve safety on SR 161 (Meridian Avenue East) between 176th Street East and 128th Street East (mileposts 21.36 – 24.24) continues. The project includes construction of sidewalks, illumination, improved business accesses, bus pullouts and some mid-block pedestrian crossings. For the week of June 27, motorists can expect nightly single right lane closures northbound and southbound SR 161 between 176th Street East and 144th Street East as the contractor performs shoulder grading for curb, gutter, and sidewalk construction, and installs luminaire bases and drainage facilities Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 1. Work hours are 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

10. SR 161, Jovita Boulevard to South 360th Street Widening – Pierce County

A $29.5 million project to widen State Route 161 to five lanes between Milton Way and South 360th Street in Federal Way (mileposts 31.95 – 34.20) is underway. The project includes turn lanes at key intersections, a two-way left-turn lane, sidewalks, and a bike lane in the commercial area from Military Road South to Milton Way. Preliminary work began March 2005, and the project is scheduled for completion in early 2007.

11. SR 410, 214th Avenue to Mundy Loss Road Paving – Pierce County

A $741,000 project to overlay almost four miles of SR 410 between 214th Avenue East and Mundy Loss Road East (mileposts 15.80 – 19.74) is underway. Motorists can expect alternating piloted traffic control during the day. Work began April 2005, and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2005. For the week of June 27, motorists can expect nightly alternating single-lane traffic control with flaggers throughout the project limits as the contractor continues paving operations Monday through Thursday, June 27-30. Depending on the contractor’s progress, work may continue the night of Friday, July 1. Work hours are 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. Side street traffic can expect delays of up to one hour in duration. This work is weather dependent and subject to last-minute cancellation.

12. SR 507, Roy to SR 7 Paving – Pierce County

Work on a $1.15 million project to resurface a portion of SR 507 between the town of Roy and the SR 507/SR 7 interchange (mileposts 36.22 – 43.57) is underway. The project includes resurfacing the roadway, pavement repair, new pavement markings, signing, and upgrading the two railroad crossings within the project limits. Work began mid-June 2005, and is scheduled for completion in August 2005. For the week of June 27, motorists can expect nightly single-lane closures with piloted traffic control northbound and southbound SR 507 throughout the project limits for mainline paving and grinding operations Sunday through Thursday, June 26-30. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. This work is weather dependent.

13. SR 512, SR 7 Interchange Safety Improvement – Pierce County

This $1.6 million project to improve the safety of the SR 512/SR 7 interchange (milepost 1.63 on SR 512), and the intersection of SR 7 and 112th Street South (milepost 52.36 on SR 7) continues. The project provides additional turn lanes and signal improvements within the project limits. Grading, paving, sidewalk installation, pavement markings, signing, illumination, signals, and other work will be included in this project. Construction began in late September 2004, and was scheduled for completion late November 2004. For the week of June 27, there should be no impact to traffic as a result of the contractor’s activities.