WSDOT Announces Post-Thanksgiving I-5 Closure In Tacoma

TACOMA, WA — The Washington State Department of Transportation is warning late-night commuters to prepare for an upcoming I-5 closure in Tacoma.

According to WSDOT, construction on the new East L Street overpass requires that their crews close lanes on I-5 overnight from Dec. 2-4. The closures include a full closure of southbound I-5 Thursday, Dec. 2, followed by a full closure of northbound lanes the next few nights.

During that time, WSDOT says drivers should strongly consider finding alternate routes through the area.

Here's a look at how the closures will work:

Thursday, Dec. 2

• Several I-5 southbound lanes will be closed starting at 8 p.m. approaching the Puyallup River Bridge.
• SR 167's on-ramp to I-5 southbound will close at 9 p.m., reopening at 5 a.m. the next morning.
• At 11 p.m., all lanes of southbound I-5 will close. They will reopen at 4 a.m. Friday. During the closure, traffic will be rerouted along a signed detour along SR 509, and I-705.

Friday, Dec. 3

• I-5 lanes will begin closing northbound at South 38th Street starting at 11:30 p.m., as will the northbound exit to Portland Avenue.
• Eastbound Sr 16's HOV lane to northbound I-5 will be closed from 11:30 p.m. through 5:30 a.m. Saturday.
• At midnight, all of northbound I-5 will close. During the closure, drivers will be detoured to I-705 and SR 509.

Saturday, Dec. 4

• Lane closures will begin at 11 p.m. on northbound I-5 approaching South 38th Street.
• The Portland Avenue exit will close at 11:30 p.m., reopening by 7 a.m. Sunday.
• Eastbound Sr 16's HOV lane to northbound I-5 will be closed from 11 p.m. through 8 a.m. Sunday.

During the closures, WSDOT is asking drivers who travel between Seattle and Olympia overnight to find alternate routes through the area, slow down, and allow extra time for congestion.