Lakewood will lead a multi-agency effort to untangle Interstate 5 traffic near Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base.

The city took the first step Monday night by approving $500,000 worth of agreements with a consultant and the state to study ways to unclog traffic on the highway, which backs up most every day.

Last month, the city got word that it won a $500,000 grant from the Department of Defense to study options along the corridor between Highway 512 and Mounts Road Southwest near DuPont. Dan Penrose, the city’s project manager, said the study is scheduled for completion by June 2010. After that, the city must figure out how to pay for the improvements, which could cost millions of dollars.

“That’s something that’s in the back of our minds with this project,” he said Monday night.

For many commuters, the sooner the something is done the better. Traffic is only expected to get worse in the coming years, as Fort Lewis alone is anticipating an extra 8,200 active military personnel and almost 2,000 new civilian jobs.

Lakewood is working with DuPont, Lacey, Roy, Clover Park School District and other communities and agencies that are affected by military traffic.

“The city is in a very unique position because we are representing the needs of the stakeholders in the region,” Penrose said.

The News Tribune will follow up with a more detailed story later in the week.

Brent Champaco: 253-597-8653