Tacoma, Washington - I5 changes

[spongeg]

does anyone know what the plan is for it?

I have driven through that area a couple times the last few months and it seems like some major reworking is going on - the over passes that seem to be no more etc.

are they widening it? adding new exits etc?

its a pain when you want to pass thtough and you get caught in the rush hour traffic

one time it took us 3 hours from Marysville to Tacoma - on the way back the same thing took us like 30 minutes

[Bond James Bond]

It's part of the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Most of it has to do with widening the access to the new bridge.

Sorry for the delayed response.:)

[Jaxom92]

HOV lanes are being added to I-5 through Tacoma. This is part of a larger plan to have continuous HOV lanes from Everett to Tacoma.

Specific WSDOT links:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/PierceCountyHOV/I5_HOV_S48th_Pacific/
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/piercecountyhov/

Hope that helps.

[FM 2258]

^^

I think all Interstates throughout the country should have an express lane that "bypasses" the city in order to reduce traffic through the central core of our cities. I can imagine driving into say Atlanta on Interstate 75 and seeing a sign that says "South (75) Express Lanes, Macon, NO EXITS NEXT 25 MILES."

[Jaxom92]

Incidentally, the one place the HOV lanes won't quite be continuous is in Seattle itself due to physical space constraints and the enormous cost of finding more space (probably only a tunnel could do that, and those that have been following the viaduct debate can attest to the political circus that issue is).

[pwalker]

IMHO, HOV lanes are a waste of concrete. Seattle is in love with them. Yah, Seattle traffic is SO much better after these are built! It is also discriminatory toward singles, who may not have families to use them. The concept of carpooling is "neato", but in reality does not work for most. Open up all the lanes that the public has paid for. I'm convinced Seattle traffic would move smoother and faster WITHOUT them. Yet, that city continues to pour billions into building more of them. I say, ENOUGH! (I realize this argument will meet nothing but opposition in PC Seattle.)

[mhays]

I totally disagree.

Carpool lanes might not work for you, but they do encourage carpools. More importantly, they allow buses to travel faster.

[pwalker]

The bus issue I will concede. But I have personally never met or known of anyone in the Seattle area that put together carpools for the express purpose of being able to use these lanes. More often, it is accidental..."oh, we've got three people, we can use that lane!". Then they proceed to drive 55 in a 60 and slow everyone else down. Sorry, but I think this is an idea that everyone thought would work, but hardly makes a difference. But, back to the busses, I'm all for improved mass transit and am glad to see light rail FINALLY being built in Seattle. But busses on freeways? Not many US cities even operate city busses on freeways. Seriously, I'm all for improving traffic flow, I just don't think HOV is the way to go.