Project overview
This project widened northbound and southbound I-5 so that each direction has four general-purpose lanes each and one HOV lane from M Street to Portland Avenue in Tacoma
To widen both directions of I-5, WSDOT rebuilt the Pacific Avenue and East McKinley Way bridges over I-5 and built a new northbound I-5 bridge over the I-705 and SR 7 interchange.
Other improvements include a new stormwater collection and treatment system and replacement of all existing northbound and southbound pavement with new reinforced concrete. The project also replaced the overhead light system and enhanced the existing driver information systems including traffic cameras, variable message signs and traffic data systems.
What to expect
This project is complete. The new HOV lanes will open through this area once the I-5 Portland Avenue to Port of Tacoma Road Southbound HOV project is finished.
Left: 2014 aerial photo of Interstate 5 in Tacoma, before construction. Right: 2018 aerial photo of Interstate 5 in Tacoma, showing a widened I-5, new bridge over I-705, a new Pacific Avenue overpass and new McKinley Way overpass.