“Having a continuous HOV lane from Pierce County to Seattle is something no one has experienced,” said Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Region Administrator Steve Roark. “It’s finally here, and we know drivers will see huge improvements.”
The new northbound HOV lane is located to the left of the general-purpose lanes. Depending on location, the HOV and general-purpose lanes are separated by a barrier or a solid line.
“Opening HOV lanes through this corridor creates much-needed capacity and provides improved drive times during peak commute hours,” said Project Engineer Tom Slimak.
HOV lanes help maximize the movement of people, and not just vehicles. In areas where population and traffic volumes continue to increase, such as Pierce County, HOV lanes are an essential tool to help keep people moving.
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“We can’t build our way out of congestion, but we can build lanes that maximize the movement of people,” Roark said. “For the first time ever, anyone traveling through or living in Pierce County can use a fully connected HOV system between SR 16 in Gig Harbor and I-5 in Seattle.”
- In 2007, WSDOT opened its first HOV lanes in Pierce County on SR 16.
- In 2010, WSDOT opened the first I-5 HOV lanes in Fife.
- Built a new southbound I-5 Puyallup River Bridge that meets current seismic standards.
- Rebuilt the East L Street overpass across I-5.
- Replaced the original northbound I-5 roadway surface from East McKinley Way to Portland Avenue.
- Replaced the original southbound I-5 roadway surface from Port of Tacoma Road to East McKinley Way.
- Upgraded signing, lighting, and traffic data sensors.
- Improved stormwater collection and treatment facilities.
- Removes the original 1962 I-5 bridges, over the Puyallup River.
