Project overview
Starting in Summer 2023, WSDOT contractor crews will install new ramp meters at several on-ramps along northbound Interstate 5 and southbound Interstate 205 in Clark County.
Ramp meters, a type of traffic signal, are employed to regulate the rate at which vehicles enter the freeway, serving as an effective strategy to enhance freeway operations. These meters aim to minimize collisions and decrease travel times. By controlling the flow of vehicles entering the freeway, ramp meters effectively alleviate congestion by limiting the number of cars occupying the same space simultaneously. This approach also mitigates merging challenges that arise when numerous vehicles attempt to merge into a nearly full lane.
What to expect
The ramp meters will be activated individually beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, and continuing throughout the remainder of the month at the following locations:
- Northbound I-5 on-ramp from Fourth Plain Boulevard
- Southbound I-205 on-ramp from Northeast 134th Street
- Southbound I-205 on-ramp from Northeast Padden Parkway
- Southbound I-205 on-ramp from Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard & State Route 500
- Southbound I-205 on-ramp from Northeast 18th Street
- Southbound I-205 on-ramp from East Mill Plain Boulevard
Specific lane and ramp closure information will be available on our real-time traffic map.
Project locations for the new ramp meters being installed on the northbound I-5 Fourth Plain Boulevard on-ramp and several on-ramps along southbound I-205.