After three years of construction, crews have completed a major project intended to increase safety, reduce congestion and improve access to communities. The project made a number of improvements on I-5 as well as areas in and around DuPont and Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
A new interchange connects DuPont/JBLM
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) project opened the state’s third diverging diamond interchange. A diverging diamond interchange keeps traffic flowing while reducing the potential for collisions. The interchange allows free left turns onto highway on-ramps.
A barrier-separated shared-use path spans the new overpass between JBLM and DuPont. Crews also built a new roundabout near Barksdale Station to help keep people moving between Steilacoom, DuPont and the new interchange.
The old Steilacoom-DuPont Road overpass was removed as part of the project. The 1950’s era bridge was classified in poor condition and did not meet vertical clearance standards for I-5. Additionally, the old overpass was built at the same grade as the railroad. The new interchange is above the train tracks and eliminates the railroad crossing.
HOV Lanes Extended
This project extended HOV lanes in both directions of I-5. The work extended the southbound HOV lane by 1.7 miles to Center Drive. It also extended the northbound HOV lane by 3.5 miles. The new HOV lane now starts at Mounts Road. Additionally, an enhanced barrier now separates both directions of highway.
Improvements at JBLM
Access improvements at JBLM were included in the project. Crews built dedicated lanes to the DuPont Gate from I-5 and from the base to northbound I-5. These additions help people entering and leaving the major military installation.
Crews also rebuilt the section of I-5 that crosses over Pendleton Avenue. The work increased the vertical clearance between the road and I-5. Several over-height vehicles using Pendleton Avenue had struck the bridge in the years leading up to the project. The new clearance height, more than 16 feet, will help prevent future strikes that could block Pendleton Avenue and even halt traffic on I-5.
Mounts Road Improvements
The work helped reduce congestion with the addition of a new traffic signal. It is located at the southbound I-5 ramp to Mounts Road. The intersection previously had a three-way stop sign that led to backups.
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