How should traffic be improved near Tacoma Mall? Here's your chance to weigh in

TACOMA, Wash. — Commuters will get to voice their opinions Thursday on how to ease traffic in one of the most congested areas in the South Sound.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is zeroing in on how to reduce congestion around the Tacoma Mall area.

Those who live or work in the area know the daily gridlock along I-5 and surrounding streets.

So WSDOT has come up with a number of potential solutions and now they want drivers to weigh in.

The agency laid out eight different strategies. Among them:

• Construct a roundabout at the intersection of 38th and Steel Street
• Build a tunnel along south 38th at intersection of Steele
• Create a new off-ramp from I-5 to Tacoma Mall Boulevard
• Reconfigure I-5 and South 38th as a diverging diamond

The last plan – a diverging diamond – is currently being built in Lacey.  It’s the first of its kind in the state. Crisscrossing lanes send drivers directly onto a freeway without stopping.

The configuration is supposed to ease congestion.

Thursday’s open house, where the public can see the proposed plans in person, will be at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center on Tacoma Way from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Those who cannot attend can give their feedback at this link.

People can also go online to give feedback at Wsdot.wa.gov/planning/studies/i5/tAcoma-mall-boulevard/home

Cox Media Group