As if drivers in downtown Tacoma didnt have enough trouble getting around, with all of the work being done on Pacific Avenue.
With just a few short weeks of the paving season left, the Washington State Department of Transportation this week moved forward with a $500,000 project that will significantly improve southbound Interstate 5 through Tacoma between the Pacific Avenue/I-705 interchange area to the State Route 16/38th Street off-ramp area.
I-5 through Tacoma is one of the busiest sections of highway in the state system with an average more than 200,000 daily trips.
In an effort to lessen motorist delays, the major paving operation will operate weekend nights (Fridays and Saturdays) through September, closing southbound off-ramps and on-ramps through the central city area.
Tucci and Sons, Inc. of Tacoma will begin the paving work Friday, Sept. 10. Work hours are 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
One weekends work (the dates are not yet identified) will include closing the southbound SR 16 off-ramp. Motorists trying to exit to SR 16 will be detoured south to 56th Street, and back onto northbound I-5, where they can use the northbound SR 16 exit.
Some project activities are weather dependent which could impact the projects work schedule.
For the most up-to-date, real-time traffic visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or dial 511.
