Expect heavy traffic at major Puyallup intersection this weekend
Drivers can expect delays on a major Puyallup street this weekend.
According to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation, crews will be working on North Meridian Avenue at the state Route 167 interchange starting Saturday, Oct. 4.
“Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will shift traffic on North Meridian Avenue into bypass lanes to create room for a new work zone,” the news release said. “After traffic is shifted into the bypass, crews will begin building a new diverging diamond interchange on North Meridian Avenue and bridge over it as part of the SR 167 Completion Project. In addition, the speed limit will be reduced in the area to 25 mph.”
Drivers can expect the following traffic impacts, according to the news release.
Friday, Oct. 3 to the morning of Saturday, Oct. 4
- 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. – Southbound state Route 167 to southbound North Meridian Avenue will be reduced to one lane.
- 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. – The right lane of the southbound state Route 167 off-ramp to North Meridian Avenue will be closed.
- 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. – The ramp from North Meridian Avenue to northbound state Route 167 will be closed. The left turn lane on southbound North Meridian Avenue will also be closed. Drivers will follow a signed detour to access a new northbound state Route 167 on-ramp off of North Levee Road.
Saturday, Oct. 4 to the morning of Sunday, Oct. 5
- 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. – Southbound state Route 167 to northbound North Meridian Avenue will be reduced to one lane.
- 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. – One lane in each direction of North Meridian Avenue at state Route 167 will be closed.
- 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. – All lanes on the North Levee Road loop that merges onto northbound SR 167 will be closed. Signed detours will be in place.
- 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. – North Meridian Avenue to northbound state Route 167 full ramp closure. The left turn lane on southbound North Meridian Avenue will also be closed. Drivers will follow a signed detour to access a new northbound state Route 167 on-ramp off of North Levee Road.
WSDOT says the work may be rescheduled if it rains, and encourages drivers to plan ahead and drive carefully around the work zone.
“We do anticipate heavier traffic than usual near the construction site on N Meridian/Valley Ave,” Eric Johnson, spokesperson for the City of Puyallup, wrote in an email to The News Tribune. “Drivers should pack their patience with them on their daily commutes. This is a long-term, multi-year project. But we are excited to see it come to fruition.”
What is the state Route 167 Completion Project?
The state Route 167 Completion Project will build 6 miles of new, tolled highway between Puyallup and Tacoma. Crews will complete the work in stages.
- Stage 1: Completed the new Wapato Way East bridge and SR 99 roundabout in Fife. This stage is done.
- Stage 2: Creates an expressway between I-5 and the Port of Tacoma. This expressway is scheduled to open in 2026.
- Stage 3: This stage involves work between state Route 161/North Meridian Avenue and state Route 410. Work began earlier in 2025.
- Stage 4: Construction between North Meridian Avenue and Interstate 5. Work is expected to start in 2026.
The entire project is expected to be completed by 2030, the release said.
To see WSDOT’s photos of the project, visit flickr.com/photos/wsdot/collections/72157720080225531/.
News Tribune archives contributed to this story.
