Time to let off the gas as construction speeds up on I-5 in Fife

By Lizzy Buechel

While driving through Fife on Interstate 5 last summer and fall, you might have noticed that lanes were narrowed and shifted toward the middle of the road in both directions. You may have also seen signs informing travelers about potential slowdowns ahead of these shifts. Well, another round of lane shifts in that area is coming, along with a new temporary 50 mph speed limit.

Variable message signs alert drivers on I-5 to potential slowdowns
near SR 167 Completion Project work zones.

Shifting lanes means construction is progressing

Construction crews working on our SR 167 Completion Project are widening I-5 to create room for a work zone in the median area of the interstate. This work zone will help support construction of new bridges on I-5 that will cross the project’s relocated Hylebos Creek as part of the Hylebos Riparian Restoration Program. The restoration program will improve the flow of the creek and reduce flooding on I-5 as part of the Puget Sound Gateway program.

Last summer, traffic shifted toward the median of I-5, allowing crews to begin work in the shoulders to build outer lane extensions for travelers. Soon, traffic will shift to the newly constructed outer lanes so construction crews can begin working in the median.

SR 167 Completion Project work zone along I-5 allows crews to start widening the road
in both directions to prepare for a traffic shift to outer lanes.

Speed reductions on northbound and southbound I-5 in Fife

Traffic shifts, reduced lane and shoulder widths, and reduced sight distance at the Fife curve around these construction work zones require a speed reduction to ensure work zone safety and enhance driver awareness of the construction sites. On Wednesday, Feb. 15, a 50 mph speed limit was put in place on northbound I-5 between milepost 137.5 (near 54th Avenue East) and milepost 139 (near Porter Way). The southbound speed reduction on the same stretch of road will happen as early as Tuesday, Feb. 28 or potentially Wednesday, March 1, depending on the weather. The speed reduction will be in place through the summer.

Drivers can expect traffic lanes on I-5 to shift away from the median through winter 2024 while crews build the new Hylebos Creek bridges.

Completing State Route 167

This construction work is part of our SR 167 Completion Project which will build six new miles of tolled highway between Puyallup and the Port of Tacoma to improve the movement of freight and reduce congestion on local roads and highways in the surrounding area.

The first stage of the project, stage 1a, was completed in summer 2022, and built a new four-lane bridge over I-5 in Fife, a new multi-lane roundabout connecting the new Wapato Way East bridge to SR 99, and constructed improvements to the Interurban Trail.

The work on I-5 in Fife is part of stage 1b of the SR 167 Completion Project. This stage will be complete in 2026 and the entire SR 167 Completion Project will be finished in 2028.

For more information

Visit the project website to learn more or call our hotline at 253-220-5009. Interested in a presentation to your civic group? Please reach out to schedule a briefing via email at SR167CompletionProject@wsdot.wa.gov.