I-5/SR 16 interchange looking Southbound.
Credit: WSDOT

– “Tacoma Area Construction”
“Traffic shift on southbound I-5 in Tacoma scheduled for Tuesday, May 1”

“If the weather cooperates, contractor crews building direct-connect HOV lanes on Interstate 5 and State Route 16 in Tacoma will close ramps and lanes during overnight hours on Tuesday, May 1, to shift all lanes of southbound I-5 onto a new temporary lane configuration.

“On Wednesday morning [May 2] when the lanes reopen, travelers on southbound I-5 will be shifted southeast immediately adjacent to northbound I-5. Barrier will separate the two directions of traffic.

“Travelers on eastbound SR 16 and in downtown Tacoma headed to southbound I-5 will also experience a change in their normal route.

* Drivers heading to southbound I-5 from I-705, SR 7 and Pacific Avenue will be directed onto the South 38th Street exit, and will rejoin southbound I-5 near South 48th Street via the collector/distributor.
* Eastbound SR 16 travelers headed to the Tacoma Mall will not be able to exit to westbound South 38th Street. Drivers will be directed via southbound I-5 and exit at South 56th Street, and will be routed back north to westbound South 38th Street.

“This traffic shift creates a new workzone so crews can begin demolishing and rebuilding southbound I-5 at the SR 16 interchange. The temporary configuration is expected to remain in place through 2018,” quoting WSDOT.
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