The Washington State Department of Transportation will begin closing city street bridges over I-5 through Tacoma in April to begin a $72.9 million improvement project, according to a statement released yesterday by the transportation agency.

Commuter traffic along I-5 will not be directly impacted by these city street closures. However, visual distractions may impact I-5 traffic. Local drivers, businesses and other transportation interests who use these city streets will need to use alternate routes.

The Yakima/Thompson bridge over I-5 will close in April. The G/Delin bridge over I-5 will close in May. The Tacoma Avenue bridge over I-5 will close in June. All three structures will be closed to traffic for approximately one year. Alternate routes during the closure include M Street and Pacific Avenue.

In summer 2007, the department of transportation will reopen the Yakima/Thompson bridge and a combined Tacoma Avenue/G/Delin bridge.

These Tacoma area improvements aim to provide safer travel and help reduce collisions and traffic congestion on I-5 from the Tacoma Mall to the Tacoma Dome.