TACOMA — If the weather cooperates, crews are planning a major step forward in the Interstate 5/State Route 16 Eastbound Nalley Valley project in Tacoma, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
Beginning 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, crews will begin the process of relocating eastbound SR 16 traffic from a temporary viaduct onto the new permanent viaduct near I-5. The work requires numerous day and night lane closures of eastbound SR 16 and the southbound I-5 exit to South 38th Street. In the event of inclement weather, the work and closures will be rescheduled.
Saturday daytime lane restrictions are from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday Jan. 4, eastbound SR 16 traffic will be reduced to two lanes. One lane will go to southbound I-5 and the other lane will go to northbound I-5. What will be important to drivers is to get in the correct lane before they reach the construction zone. Once they get close to the viaduct, they will not be able to change lanes.
Sunday daytime lane restrictions are from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday Jan. 5, eastbound SR 16 will be reduced to one lane at the viaduct, and all motorists will be directed onto southbound I-5 Northbound I-5 traffic will be detoured through the South 56th Street interchange. WSDOT predicts that the worst congestion will occur all day Sunday and strongly encourages motorists to avoid the area.
Beginning at 4 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6, WSDOT crews will open all ramps and roadways Eastbound SR 16 motorists will be driving — for the first time — on the new permanent eastbound SR 16 viaduct.
WSDOT encourages drivers to plan a strategy to deal with potentially long daytime delays and heavy congestion on eastbound SR 16. On a typical weekend, this stretch of eastbound SR 16 is traveled by more than 100,000 vehicles.
WSDOT traffic engineers warn that without a reduction in traffic during the restrictions, eastbound backups could reach the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which is six miles away. Sunday is anticipated to have the largest backups.
WSDOT expects eastbound traffic backups to reach the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Consider using earlier exits than usual off eastbound SR 16. WSDOT said motorists should use Twitter to stay informed about traffic conditions by following: twitter.com/WSDOT_tacoma.
Additional information on closures from 10 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Monday
Closure specifics for 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3:
• Close all lanes of eastbound SR 16 at South Union Avenue (detour at Union Avenue);
• Close South Union Avenue on-ramp to eastbound SR 16;
• Close southbound I-5 exit to South 38th Street.
Closure specifics for 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4:
• Open two lanes of eastbound SR 16. One lane will take motorists to northbound I-5; the other lane will take motorists to southbound I-5.
• Open South Union Avenue on-ramp to eastbound SR 16;
• Open southbound I-5 exit to South 38th Street.
Closure specifics for 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4:
• Close all lanes of eastbound SR 16 at South Union Avenue (detour at Union Avenue);
• Close South Union Avenue on-ramp to eastbound SR 16;
• Close southbound I-5 exit to South 38th Street.
Closure specifics for 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5:
• Open one lane of eastbound SR 16, detour all eastbound SR 16 traffic onto southbound I-5. Motorists wishing to reach northbound I-5 will be detoured via South 56th Street interchange.
• Open South Union Avenue on-ramp to eastbound SR 16;
• Open southbound I-5 exit to South 38th Street.
Closure specifics for 10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5:
• Close all lanes of eastbound SR 16 at South Union Avenue (detour at Union Avenue);
• Close South Union Avenue on-ramp to eastbound SR 16;
• Close southbound I-5 exit to South 38th Street.
