From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/03/11/2062988/gridlock-relief-in-works-for-south.html An extension of 39th Avenue on Puyallup’s South Hill is due to be completed this year. The road will allow drivers a bypass route around the heavy congestion due to the mall and other stores in the area. Ben
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/I5_RampMeterCamerasSouthSound.htm New ramp meters and cameras have been installed along Interstate 5 along Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Hopefully this will help traffic planning and flow in the area. More: http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/tacoma/default.asp Ben
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/03/04/2052781/traffic-qa-still-weighting-steel.html It turns out Tacoma’s Hylebos Draw Bridge, expected to reopen awhile back, still isn’t ready. The culprit: the new bridge is too light for its counterweights. Oops. We should also note that this bridge was also part of the old Highway 509, as was the 11th Street Bridge, also under [...]
From The Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017667794_520traffic05m.html Tolls on the SR 520 bridge, to be used to pay for its replacement, are forcing drivers to I-90 and I-5. While expected, this is still unfortunate. In the current budgetary environment, tolls are the best way to pay for this project. Ben
From KOMO-TV: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/More-and-more-drivers-opting-out-of-520-tolling-140807963.html Roughly half of commuters are avoiding the 520 bridge toll. It will be interesting to see if this goes up as the cost of gas rises. It also doesn’t mention the increased usage of public transportation in the corridor. Ben
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/02/25/2040647/lawmakers-propose-funds-for-traffic.html Preliminary state budgets include funding to study interchange improvements along Interstate 5 through Joint Base Lewis-McChord. This is great news. With the return of the troops and growth of the base, traffic in the area has become horrendous. The sooner we can find fixes, no matter how small, the better. [...]
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/02/23/2037978/citizen-panel-reveals-proposed.html The citizens tolling commission is proposing at least a $1 increase in tolls to cover bridge costs and make up for lowered traffic. Ben
From KING-5: http://www.king5.com/news/Washington-hopes-to-learn-from-Bostons-Big-Dig-140087243.html Washington is looking at Boston’s Big Dig project when planning their replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. However, that project involved removing the freeway while keeping it open, whereas we will be tunneling beneath it. Ben
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/02/21_ViaductReplacement.htm A independent study commissioned by WSDOT says the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement project is on schedule and on budget. This is great news. The viaduct has needed replacement for many years. The sooner it is completed, the better. Ben
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/02/20/2033769/federal-way-i-5-project-fills.html The flyover ramps for the SR 18/I 5 interchange have been placed. The entire project should be complete by this summer. While only one piece of a multistage project, the new flyover ramps should help alleviate major congestion at this interchange. More: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i5/sr18sr161ic Ben