Carpool lanes on I-5 in Tacoma will be closed for sign work. Plan ahead

Update: This work has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Nov. 19, according to WSDOT.

Original post: High-occupancy vehicle lanes on Interstate 5 in Tacoma will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 13 as crews repair message signs near State Route 16.

The lane closure will be in place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will impact the northbound and southbound HOV lane exits to State Route 16. The Washington State Department of Transportation will direct travelers to use exits for non-high occupancy vehicle lanes: Exit 132 on northbound I-5, and Exit 132b on southbound I-5.

The department is encouraging drivers to plan for extra time on their commutes on Nov. 13.

“WSDOT appreciate travelers’ cooperation and patience while crews work,” the release from WSDOT states.

This story was originally published November 11, 2025 at 5:15 AM.

Isha Trivedi

The News Tribune

Isha Trivedi covers Tacoma city hall, Pierce County government and education for The News Tribune. She has previously worked at The Mercury News, the Palo Alto Weekly, the Chronicle of Higher Education and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. She grew up in San Jose, California and graduated with a bachelor of arts in journalism and anthropology from the George Washington University. She is a proud alumna of The GW Hatchet, her alma mater’s independent student newspaper, and has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for her work with the publication.