State is working on a plan to protect Nisqually delta while increasing I-5 traffic through it
The Washington State Department of Transportation has launched a process to retool Interstate 5’s passage through the Nisqually Delta to address flood risk as sea level rises, increase capacity for more vehicle traffic, and enhance the delta’s ecosystem.
WSDOT is inviting the public to comment on its draft Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) report that lays out what needs fixing on the portion of I-5 between Marvin Road in Thurston County and Mounts Road in Pierce County. It will be available on WSDOT’s website through the month of June.
Some of the improvements could include elevating portions of the highway and adding new HOV lanes in both directions of the interstate. WSDOT also wants to construct a shared use path for pedestrians and cyclists along southbound I-5.
In December 2021, The News Tribune published a three-part series on traffic, environmental and military concerns tied to potential flooding of the Nisqually Valley. With no improvements to that stretch of highway, a flood on Interstate 5 would delay traffic for hours and jeopardize access to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. A flooded highway would prevent about 40 percent of military personnel who live south of the bridge from getting to the base, causing a “national security risk.”
The public is invited to comment on the proposed improvements, and WSDOT will use the comments to tweak the plan. Then it will move on to National Environmental Policy Act review. It’s unclear when a design will be available or when construction will begin, according to a WSDOT news release.
The State Legislature provided $5 million for this pre-construction portion of the project. According to previous reporting, fixing the portion of interstate could cost upwards of $4.2 billion.
This story was originally published June 12, 2023 at 5:00 AM with the headline "State is working on a plan to protect Nisqually delta while increasing I-5 traffic through it."
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