The SR 167 Completion Project in Pierce County is part of the Puget Sound Gateway Program, which also includes the SR 509 Completion Project in King County. Together these projects complete two major unfinished highways in the Puget Sound region to create new connections to Interstate 5, the ports of Tacoma and Seattle and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The SR 167 Completion Project constructs 6 new miles of tolled highway between Puyallup and the Port of Tacoma and builds sidewalks and shared-use paths for non-motorized travelers. Completing this unfinished highway will greatly benefit the movement of freight, improve safety and reduce congestion on local roads and highways in the surrounding area.
Timeline
2015-2029
Project status
Construction
Funding
$2.69 billion funds both the SR 167 Completion Project in Pierce County and the SR 509 Completion Project in King County
Upcoming traffic shift on 54th Avenue East near Taylor Way
In early December, all lanes of traffic on 54th Avenue East will shift to the east, in the vicinity of 4th Avenue East, while crews begin building a new roundabout. The traffic shift to the east is expected to remain in place through spring 2025.
The SR 167 Completion Project will close a crucial gap in the state's highway system by completing the unfinished SR 167 between Puyallup and the Port of Tacoma. The new four-lane highway will be called an expressway and will be electronically tolled (no tollbooths) at 2 toll points - one west of I-5 and the other east of I-5.
Puget Sound Gateway Program: Combining SR 167 and SR 509 completion projects
The SR 167 Completion Project in Pierce County, and the SR 509 Completion Project in King County are jointly funded and managed under the Puget Sound Gateway Program. Combining these large projects maximizes efficiencies in planning, environmental review, design, and construction.
SR 167 Completion Project benefits
Freight connections. Completes critical freight links between the Port of Tacoma and the manufacturing and industrial areas in Pierce County.
Regional mobility. Reduces congestion on local roads and highways by providing improved east-west travel.
Multimodal connections. Connects walking/biking trails, including the Interurban Trail.
Environmental enhancements. Restores wildlife and aquatic habitat, reduces flooding, improves water quality, and provides access to local pedestrian trails.
Regional job and economic growth. Supports regional job growth and economic growth associated with the state's two largest ports.
Intelligent transportation. Electronic tolling on the route will manage congestion, which improves safety and reliability for all users.
Multiple construction stages for the SR 167 Completion Project 2020-2029
This graphic shows the multiple construction phases for the SR 167 Completion Project. Construction is expected to continue through 2029.
First stage of construction (Stage 1a) - Complete
As part of the SR 167/70th Avenue East Bridge Replacement Project, WSDOT completed a new four-lane bridge over I-5 in Fife, a new multi-lane roundabout connecting the bridge SR 99, 400 feet of the Interurban Trail and a new trail parking lot. In June 2021, the new Wapato Way East Bridge opened, replacing the existing 70th Avenue East Bridge. This video explains how the new bridge makes the future SR 167 possible.
The Wapato Way East Bridge and connecting SR 99 roundabout opened in June 2021. The protected shared-use path on the right side of the bridge connects to the Interurban Trail and will connect to a future trail WSDOT will build adjacent to the new SR 167 between Fife and Tacoma.
Second stage of construction (Stage 1b) - In progress
Construction began in summer 2022. Named the SR 167/I-5 to SR 509 New Expressway Project, this stage of development includes:
A new 2-mile highway that will link I-5 to SR 509 near the Port of Tacoma.
A new diverging diamond interchange (DDI) over I-5 connecting the interstate to the future SR 167 Expressway.
Approximately 150 acres of wetland and stream restoration and improvements.
New interchanges at I-5, 54th Avenue East and the connections to SR 509.
New sidewalks and a widening of SR 99 from the new roundabout through the existing 70th Avenue East intersection.
A new 2.5 mile shared-use path from SR 99 to Alexander Avenue East.
Third stage of construction (Stage 2a) - 2025-2027
The third stage of construction will widen SR 167 between North Meridian Avenue and SR 410, build a diverging diamond interchange at North Meridian Avenue, build the embankment between the Puyallup Recreation Center and North Meridian Avenue for the next stage and begin construction on the 12-mile spuyaləpabš Trail, previously referred to as the Tacoma to Puyallup Regional Trail.
Fourth stage of construction (Stage 2b) - 2026-2029
This stage will build SR 167 between the Puyallup Recreation Center and I-5, complete the diverging diamond interchange at I-5, build six new bridges, a new half-interchange at Valley Avenue, build the rest of the spuyaləpabš Trail and perform 113 acres of wetland mitigation and restoration.
About the spuyaləpabš Trail
The spuyaləpabš Trail is a 12-mile regional shared-use path that will connect downtown Puyallup to Fife and downtown Tacoma. This path will provide people who live and work in the area with a new option to travel without a motorized vehicle.
Eight miles of the trail will follow the SR 167 expressway from Meridian Avenue in Puyallup to Alexander Avenue in Fife. WSDOT will build this portion of the trail. The remaining 4 miles, between Alexander Avenue and the Thea Foss Esplanade will be built by the cities of Fife and Tacoma.
The spuyaləpabš Trail provides a crucial opportunity to honor the tribal history and culture of this region. As the historic stewards of the land where the SR 167 expressway and trail will reside, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians took the lead in identifying and proposing the trail name. Other agencies and jurisdictions collaborating on the trail plan and alignment enthusiastically endorsed the name in December 2023.
spuyaləpabš is the Lushootseed name for the Puyallup People, translated as “People from the bend at the bottom of the river.” The name spuyaləpabš is also associated with the Puyallup people’s welcoming and generous behavior. There are 13 tribes in the Pacific Northwest that speak Lushootseed which has a written alphabet of 13 characters, and many of the sounds are non-English sounds that cannot be expressed with the English alphabet. The Puyallup Tribe has created a video to help people learn how to correctly pronounce spuyaləpabš.
The trail will feature artwork by Coastal Salish artists that highlight the stories and history of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. It will also include benches, signage, lighting and design features that highlight key areas along the trail.
Staged construction completes SR 167 in Pierce County (2020-2029)
Milestone
2020
Stage 1a of the SR 167 Completion Project begins, building a new bridge over I-5 and the new SR 99 roundabout
Summer 2021
Stage 1a is complete. The Wapato Way East bridge over I-5 opens, along with the new SR 99 roundabout
Summer 2022
Construction started on Stage 1b of the SR 167 Completion Project, building a new expressway between I-5 and SR 509 near the Port of Tacoma
2025
Expected start of Stage 2a. This stage of construction widens SR 167 between North Meridian Avenue and SR 410
2026
Expected completion of Stage 1b. A new, tolled expressway opens between I-5 and the Port of Tacoma
2026
Expected start of Stage 2b. This stage completes SR 167 between the Puyallup Recreation Center and I-5
2027
Expected completion Stage 2a
2029
Expected completion of SR 167
The Puget Sound Gateway Program has approximately $2.69 billion in funding from four sources:
The new Wapato Way East Bridge in Fife and connecting SR 99 roundabout opened in June 2021. This stage of construction is complete.
SR 167 Completion Project, Stage 1b
Stage 1b of the SR 167 completion project will begin construction of the new SR 167, I-5 to SR 509 Expressway, and demolish the old 70th Avenue Bridge to make room for a new interchange.
How to drive the SR 99 Wapato Way roundabout
When driving through the Wapato Way roundabout, drivers have a few options. Drivers can Drivers can enter the roundabout from either SR 99 or Wapato Way East and then travel in one of three directions: South on SR 99, north on SR 99 or onto Wapato Way East. The following graphics depicts some of the most common routes through the Wapato Way roundabout.
If you are continuing north on SR 99, use either lane of the roundabout. If you are getting onto northbound SR 99 from the new bridge, you can bypass the roundabout by using the right “slip” lane.
If you are continuing south on SR 99 or getting onto southbound SR 99 from the new bridge, use either lane of the roundabout
To access the new Wapato Way East bridge from northbound SR 99, use the right “slip” lane to bypass the roundabout. To access the new bridge from southbound SR 99, use the left lane to enter the roundabout and follow the roadway striping as you proceed through the roundabout toward the Wapato Way East exit.
Important roundabout tips
Give space. Do not drive next to or try to pass a truck inside the roundabout. Large trucks are permitted and encouraged to straddle two lanes as they enter and travel through the roundabout.
Slow down. Always slow down when entering the roundabout. A safe roundabout speed is 15 mph. This speed helps ensure you can safely maneuver the turns required to advance through the intersection.
Find more information about how to drive in a roundabout on the "related links" tab.
Environmental highlight: SR 167 Completion Project Riparian Restoration Program
As part of the SR 167/I-5 to SR 509 New Expressway Project (Stage 1b) WSDOT has a unique opportunity to create greater environmental benefits than would using traditional mitigation methods. The riparian restoration program will revitalize approximately 150 acres of wetlands, remove invasive vegetation, plant tens of thousands of native plants and encourage the return of animal life with natural barriers near improved streams. The project re-channels Hylebos Creek away from I-5 which will help improve water quality, restore healthy fish populations and alleviate chronic flooding on I-5.
The light green area in the image above shows the large area of wetland that will be restored. The Riparian Restoration Project will improve wildlife and aquatic habitat, reduce flooding and improve water quality. For context, this area is larger than 110 football fields.
