• Tacoma, Seattle ports see growth in container cargo
• Lane closures
• Fuel prices down

The Northwest Seaport Alliance import containers grew 4 percent last month compared to June 2015 as peak season begins to roll in with back-to-school cargo.

Import volumes marked the highest June volume at the NWSA in the past four years. Imports are expected to see a modest boost this summer and fall as retailers prepare for the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons.

Through the first six months of the year, full imports rose 1 percent and full exports are up 12 percent. Overall container volumes fell nearly 3 percent year to date.

Meanwhile, breakbulk cargo continues to struggle, down 34 percent year to date due to the strong dollar, fuel price impacts on new projects and slowing economic growth in China. Auto imports declined nearly 4 percent following last year’s all-time high volumes.

– Northwest Seaport Alliance

Night paving may cause delays near Sumner, Puyallup

Night drivers may encounter delays on State Route 410 between Sumner and Bonney Lake as crews work to resurface the highway. Night paving also will require crews to close SR 410 and State Route 167 ramps near Sumner and Puyallup.

Lane closures

Monday-Friday, Aug. 1-5: Westbound SR 410 single-lane closures, 7 p.m.-6 a.m. (Friday, 8 p.m.-8 a.m. Saturday)

Ramp closures

Tuesday-Thursday, Aug. 1-4: Traffic Avenue on-ramp to westbound SR 410, 10 p.m.-5 a.m. (Friday, 11:59 p.m.-7 a.m. Saturday)

Wednesday-Thursday, Aug. 3-4: Westbound SR 410 exit to southbound SR 167, 11 p.m.-5 a.m.

Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 4-6: Southbound SR 167 exit to westbound State Route 512, 11 p.m.-5 a.m. (Friday, 11:59 p.m.- 7 a.m. Saturday)

SR 104, SR 307 total closures this week

An around-the-clock closure of SR 104 begins at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Aug.1, at Grover’s Creek, milepost 22, outside of Kingston. The closure will remain in place through 11:59 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5. A signed detour will direct motorists around the closure via Barber Cut-Off Road Northeast, Northeast West Kingston Road and Miller Bay Road Northeast.5. See the project web page for additional information. 

I-5 overnight lane closures this week 

Lane closures

Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 1-2: All southbound lanes of I-5 will detour via Exit #133 to the Tacoma City Center and Interstate 705, 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.

 Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 3-4: All southbound lanes of I-5 will detour via Exit #133 to the Tacoma City Center and Interstate 705, 11:59 p.m. to 4 a.m. each following morning

All lanes of northbound I-5 near South 38th Street will be routed onto the parallel northbound I-5 collector/distributor and detoured via either State Route 7 or Interstate 705.

– Washington State DOT 

Upcoming Tacoma road closures for special events

Saturday, Aug. 6 – Proctor Arts Fest event will close various streets between North 28th, North 25th, North Madison and North Washington streets from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 13 – Brew Five Three event will close Broadway between South 9th and South 11th streets from 6 a.m. and midnight.

Saturday, Aug. 13 – North Baltimore Block Party will close North Baltimore Street between North 31st and North 33rd streets from 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 13 – 31st Street Block Party will close North 31st Street between North Warner and North Lawrence streets from noon – 6 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 14 – Color Run Tacoma event will close East C Street, Puyallup Avenue and South 24th, South C, South 23rd streets and Jefferson Avenue and Market Street to South 11th Street from 6 a.m. – noon.

Sunday, Aug. 14 – Beach Party and Car Show event will close North 27th Street between North Proctor and North Madison between North 27th and half block to North 28th streets from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 14 – Tacoma Mall Neighborhood Block Party will close South 45th Street from South Warner through, and including South Alder streets from 2 p.m. –  8 p.m.

Gas prices down 3.6 cents per gallon

Average retail gasoline prices in Tacoma have fallen 3.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.61 per gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 271 gas outlets in Tacoma. This compares with the national average that has fallen 2 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.13 per gallon.

Including the change in gas prices in Tacoma during the past week, prices yesterday were 55.1 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 5.5 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 14.6 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 52.7 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

Seattle gas prices averaged $2.67, down 3.6 cents from last week. Yakima stations averaged $2.54. The Washington State average was $2.61.

– GasBuddy.com