Project news

• As early as the week of June 11, contractor crews will stripe southbound I-5 to its final configuration of four lanes from the Center Drive overpass, with the lanes tapering to three near Mounts Road. This work will require a series of overnight lane and ramp closures on southbound I-5 between Center Drive and Mounts Road. Crews will begin their work near the Mounts Road on-ramp to southbound I-5 and continue their way north towards the Center Drive overpass. Each night will involve a different section of southbound I-5 and associated ramps. Rain could reschedule the work. Detours will be in place for ramp closures. Emergency vehicles will have access during the ramp closures. Overnight work schedule is posted below.
• Once the southbound I-5 striping is complete, drivers who use the Center Drive on-ramp to southbound I-5 will merge left twice as they proceed to southbound I-5. More information about this can be found on the WSDOT Blog.
• Crews have installed a temporary overhead sign on the Center Drive overpass. A new sign bridge will be installed in the coming weeks.
• The northbound I-5 auxiliary lane extension between Mounts Road and Center Drive opened to traffic in November 2017.
• Funding for this project is included in the I-5 Mounts Road to Thorne Lane I/C Corridor Improvements project.
   

Lane and ramp closures for southbound I-5 striping 

Friday, June 15

Single-lane closures will begin at 9 p.m., with double-lane closures starting at 11 p.m. The Center Drive on-ramp to southbound I-5 and the southbound I-5 exit to Mounts Road will close at 11 p.m. All lanes and the ramp will reopen by 9 a.m. Saturday.

Monday, June 18

Single-lane closures will start at 7 p.m., with double-lane closures starting at 10 p.m. The Center Drive on-ramp to southbound I-5 will close at 10 p.m. All lanes and ramps will reopen by 6 a.m. the following day.

Tuesday, June 19

Single-lane closures will start at 8 p.m., with double-lane closures starting at 10 p.m. Ramp closures will begin at 10 p.m. All lanes and the ramp will reopen by 6 a.m. the following day.

What is an auxiliary lane?
An auxiliary lane is a supplemental or extra lane between interchanges. They are frequently used between closely spaced interchanges to allow for maneuvering of entering and exiting traffic, speed changes, weaving and truck climbing.

There is an existing auxiliary lane along northbound I-5 between the Center Drive (Exit 118) and Steilacoom-DuPont Road (Exit 119) interchanges. It is about 0.4 miles in length.

Why is WSDOT extending the auxiliary lane on northbound Interstate 5 between Center Drive and Steilacoom-DuPont Road one and a half miles south to Mounts Road?
Traffic volumes on Interstate 5 between Mounts Road and Steilacoom-DuPont Road have increased substantially over the past 10 years. Traffic flow through this 2-mile area is subject to several pressures, including the uphill grade from the Nisqually River valley, entering traffic from Mounts Road, trucks using the weigh station, exiting and entering traffic at the Center Drive interchange and exiting traffic to the Steilacoom-DuPont Road interchange and JBLM’s DuPont Gate.

By extending the auxiliary lane south about 1.5 miles to start at the Mounts Rd. bridge, trucks approaching the weigh station along with entering and exiting traffic will use this lane while the majority of traffic uses the adjacent three through lanes.

To accommodate the auxiliary lane, northbound I-5 will be widened into the center median. The final lane configurations will include three 11-foot-wide lanes, one 12-foot-wide lane and 8 feet on the inside shoulder.

This work has independent utility, meaning it provides benefits to the traveling public independent of other I-5 - Mounts Road to Thorne Lane I/C Corridor Improvements project elements.

The End Result
The extended auxiliary lane will ultimately become part of the fourth general purpose lane that is being built in the I-5 Mounts Road to Thorne Lane I/C Corridor Improvements project.

Needs & benefits

• Reduce congestion by providing a supplemental lane for trucks and traffic entering and exiting I-5.
• Higher center median safety barrier.

Timeline

• Dec. 28, 2016 - Contract awarded to Scarsella Bros, Inc.
• February 2017 - construction began.
• November 2017 - extended auxiliary lane opened to traffic.
• Spring 2018 - construction complete.