I-5 Shifts Happening In Tacoma: What To Expect

TACOMA, WA — Big changes are coming to southbound I-5 near SR 16 in Tacoma will unfold over the next few days — changes that WSDOT says should relieve some traffic woes in the South 38th Street area.

After the work is done, several new ramps will open between Tacoma streets, I-5, and SR 16, also called the Nalley Valley Interchange. Southbound I-5 will also be on a permanent new alignment over a new bridge.

But before all that, there will be two major periods of work during overnight hours Thursday and Saturday. Several ramps will close, and there will be lane shifts along southbound I-5, among a few other temporary changes.

When the work is done, I-5 exit 132A to westbound SR 16 and South 38th will be exit-only — there will no longer be the chance to get back on I-5. There will also be a new dedicated ramp from eastbound SR 16 to southbound I-5. There will also be a dedicated ramp to South 38th.

This week's changes are part of a bigger project to extend HOV lanes between Gig Harbor and I-5. When the project finishes in 2020, there will be continuous HOV lanes between Gig Harbor and Everett. This weekend's work will allow WSDOT contractor Skansa to start re-striping lanes in preparation for connecting the I-5 and SR 16 HOV lanes.