After more than two years, I-5/SR-16 realignment project nears completion in Tacoma



TACOMA, Wash. -- After two-plus years of construction, work is finally nearing completion on the I-5/SR-16 realignment project.

"Contractor crews are getting ready to open the connecting HOV lanes. Once that occurs in the coming weeks, the project will be considered complete," a WSDOT spokesperson said.

According to WSDOT, overnight Saturday, crews moved all lanes of southbound I-5 to final alignment. All lanes were scheduled to reopen by 10 a.m. Sunday. Crews finished their overnight work by 6 a.m. Sunday, four hours ahead of schedule.

The goal of the project is to widen I-5 to build connecting HOV lanes between SR 16 and I-5.

The project created new lanes dedicated to stopping weaving traffic, including permanent changes to Southbound I-5 exit 132A. Eastbound SR 16 to westbound and eastbound South 38th Street will be an exit only. There will no longer be a continuous lane that re-connects with southbound I-5 past South 38th Street.

There are also permanent changes to Eastbound SR 16 and South Sprague Avenue. Drivers heading to southbound I-5 will use a new dedicated ramp. Drivers headed to the South 38th Street interchange will use their own dedicated ramp.

The changes also create new ramp, including decision point for Sprague Avenue or eastbound SR 16 travelers headed to southbound I-5 or South 38th Street. One ramp will connect directly to travel lanes of southbound I-5. The other ramp will allow travelers to go directly to eastbound or westbound South 38th Street.

You can learn more about the project here.