Road Closures Planned Ahead Of Berkeley Street Overpass Opening

LAKEWOOD, WA — After more than a year of construction work, Freedom Bridge, the new Berkeley Street overpass, is nearly complete. Before drivers can use the new bridge, transportation crews will need to close a few streets and ramps to button up the work. The Washington State Department of Transportation said the closures allow workers time to connect local streets to the new overpass.

Beginning as early as Monday, Jan. 13, the intersection at Washington Avenue and Berkeley Street will be closed day and night for at least two weeks. During that time, marked detours will be in place. After the intersection reopens, the old overpass is slated for a weekend closure, allowing crews to connect the new structure to the Madigan Army Medical Center Gate. During the second closure, residents and businesses near Tillicum will have to use the Thorne Lane interchange to get on Interstate 5.

After the second round of work is complete, the new interchange will be open, except for drivers leaving Camp Murray or Tillicum heading to northbound I-5 -- that on-ramp will be closed for an additional 15 days. Once the third and final closure is complete, the new bridge will be open to drivers coming from all areas. WSDOT said weather conditions could delay work on some dates, and drivers will be notified of any shifts to the timeline.

The new overpass is part of a larger project aiming to improve safety and relieve congestion on I-5 in Pierce County.