Study news

WSDOT has completed the I-5 Tacoma Mall Boulevard Access Revision Feasibility Study and the report is now available for viewing.

Study Report

Executive Summary (pdf 70 kb)

Study Report (pdf 3.3 mb)

Study Purpose

WSDOT studied traffic congestion on I-5 at the 38th Street Interchange and local streets (S. 38th Street/Steele Street Intersection) in partnership with the City of Tacoma and others. This area of I-5 experiences frequent traffic delays primarily in the southbound I-5 direction to westbound S. 38th Street to Steele Street intersecting with Tacoma Mall Boulevard. The study analyzed current and future recommendations for improving traffic flow around the Tacoma Mall area using the Practical Solutions planning approach. 

The End Result

The study recommendation is to continue development and analysis of the existing southbound off-ramp from southbound Interstate 5 (I-5) connecting to Tacoma Mall Boulevard which will better distribute vehicle trips to the mall away from South 38th Street and South Steel Street intersection.  Furthermore, the study also recommended continued consideration of an alternative strategy that includes an on-ramp to I-5 southbound from Tacoma Mall Boulevard near South 48th Street.

Funding

Funding for this study is provided by the Washington State Motor Vehicle Account. A total of $500,000 has been allocated. 

Timeline

October - December 2018

• Study scope of work
• Preliminary analysis
• Stakeholder communication

January - April 2019

• Community outreach
• Data analysis

May - August 2019

• Data Analysis
• Make recommendations
• Community outreach

September - November 2019

• Complete study report

Contact

Dennis Engel, Multimodal Planning Manager
360-357-2651

Cara Mitchell, Communications Consultant
360-357-2703