Project overview
This project replaced the 1965 southbound I-5 Puyallup River Bridge. The new bridge is built to current seismic standards and is straighter and wider than the previous bridge.
The project also modified the Port of Tacoma Road on-ramp to southbound I-5, demolished the existing old I-5 bridges over the Puyallup River, demolished and rebuilt the East L Street overpass that crosses I-5, replaced existing concrete pavement from McKinley Avenue to Portland Avenue, upgraded signing, illumination, storm water collection facilities, and water quality treatment facilities.
Once finished, this project will open HOV lanes in both directions on I-5 from SR 16 in Tacoma to Fife.
What to expect
At 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, Guy F. Atkinson Construction crews opened the final 3-mile section of southbound Interstate 5 HOV lanes in Pierce County. The new lane connects the existing HOV lane running from Seattle to Fife with the one that stretches from Tacoma to westbound State Route 16 in Gig Harbor.
On Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, the new East L Street Bridge over I-5 reopened to travelers. The original bridge was removed so I-5 could be widened for HOV lanes.
As of Friday, April 1, 2022 all southbound travel lanes are on the new southbound I-5 Puyallup River Bridge. Five out of six new southbound lanes are open for travelers, including four general purpose lanes and an auxiliary lane.
This project built a new southbound I-5 Puyallup River Bridge, and a new East L Street bridge across all lanes of I-5 in Tacoma.
