If you drive to Olympia more than about once a year, you know what a cluster I-5 can turn into near Joint Base Lewis McChord. I make the drive about every six weeks, year round, always on Friday, and unless you hit I-5 before 1 p.m., it’s bumper to bumper gridlock.
The Olympian is reporting that the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is hoping to cut down on this congestion by adding lanes to the freeway in this area. Click the map to view it full size.
The widening will include a new northbound lane from Mounts Road to Steilacoom-DuPont Road and another lane in each direction from there to Thorne. That’s a total of eight lanes wide near most of the base.
The 11.9 cent gas tax increase approved in July will pay for the $494 million project.