Major overhaul of Port of Tacoma Road interchange kicks off in Fife

Part one of a two-part, $42.5 million construction project for Port of Tacoma Road in Fife began Wednesday.

The interchange project, expected to be completed in 2020, will:

▪ Convert Port of Tacoma Road and its bridge over Interstate 5 to a one-way, southbound road.

▪ Make 34th Avenue East and a new bridge over the freeway into a one-way, northbound road.

▪ Build ramps on and off southbound I-5.

▪ Widen 12th Street East to four lanes to support traffic to the Port of Tacoma from I-5.

Fife Public Works Director Russ Blount said measures have been taken to reduce the effects on commuters.

“We are doing everything possible to keep if off-line for I-5,” he said. “There will be some short-term ramp closures, but mainly at night. Someone with a night-shift job might have to use a different exit off I-5, but most of the work will have minimal impact on I-5 users.”

The updates are expected to east traffic problems on I-5 as well as on streets and intersections in the area, plus improve moving freight in and out of the port.

The ground-breaking ceremony was held Wednesday with Fife Mayor Kim Roscoe, Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier Gov. Jay Inslee scheduled among those speaking.

During the interchange project, Loves Travel Stop at Port of Tacoma Road and 12th Street East will close for eight -months.

The second phase of the project is to begin in 2021 and be completed in 2023. The project involves efforts of federal, state, tribal and local governments.

“This is a really important project to the city of Fife, to the port and to the state, so we are glad it’s moving,” Blount said.

Meredith Spelbring: mspelbring@thenewstribune.com, 253-597-8509