Traffic engineers plan to fix I-5 JBLM congestion

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. — It's notorious for slow-moving, bumper-to-bumper traffic and loathed as a nightmare commute. For south sound drivers, there is nothing worse than getting stuck in the I-5 backup at Joint Base Lewis McChord.

“It’s terrible,” said Alex Jenkins. “It’s always packed, never can get anywhere on time. I always have to call in to work 10 to 15 minutes late.”

Teri Reber commutes from Spanaway to Lakewood and she just avoids I-5 altogether. “I go to school at Clover Park, and everybody tries to leave class early or stay in class late so that way they don’t have to get stuck in traffic on their way home,” said Reber.

The Washington State Department of Transportation said that stretch of Interstate 5 that passes by JBLM hasn't seen a major upgrade in decades.

“It’s kind of the forgotten freeway,” said Regional Administrator Kevin Dayton. “Built in the 50s and 60s, last remodeled in the 70s, it’s really outlived its expected life.”

Now there is finally a plan in the works to fix the JBLM traffic mess. WSDOT is in the final study phase to widen the freeway focusing on the worst traffic bottlenecks, upgrade or replace interchanges on either end, and even examine possible improvements beyond the biggest problem areas. At least three overpasses crossing the freeway would come down and be replaced by newer bridges at Thorne Berkeley, and Steilacoom Dupont roads to make way for more lanes for vehicles.

WSDOT still needs to complete an environmental study, and  the projected cost of the improvements is 450 million dollars. If all goes as planned, the project would be finished by the year 2020.

It's a long time coming, and it will be a huge relief for commuters.

“Good,” said Jenkins. “I can finally get to work on time, can’t wait until it happens."

For a look at WSDOT plans, follow this link: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/JBLMImprovements/FuturePlans.htm

KIRO