I-5 improvement project near JBLM hits one-year mark, lots more work to go

I-5 bridge over Pendleton Avenue The bridge previously had incidents where overweight vehicles would hit the bridge. (WSDOT)

I-5 corridor improvements project JBLM Bird’s-eye view of work on I-5 which included extending noise walls on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (WSDOT)

New roundabout north of Barksdale Station The new connection between DuPont and I-5 is taking shape. The new route to the highway will go up and over the existing train tracks. (WSDOT)

I-5 corridor improvements project JBLM WSDOT does a lot to keep people moving during construction. All lanes of I-5 will be kept during the work for the exception of night lane closures. (WSDOT)

new I-5 and Steilacoom-DuPont Road interchange This design visualization shows the final design of the a new I-5 and Steilacoom-DuPont Road interchange at exit 119 in Pierce County. The design of the new bridge structure includes a half diverging diamond interchange with barrier protected pedestrian access. The new overpass will take travelers over the railroad and eliminate the existing at-grade railroad crossing. The new overpass will connect with Steilacoom-DuPont Road using a roundabout, built for all vehicle types including trucks, busses and emergency response vehicles. (WSDOT)

By Steve Aguilar

DUPONT, Wash. — Washington State Department of Transportation’s improvement project on Interstate 5 near Joint Base Lewis-McChord has just reached its one-year mark, and there’s still a lot more work to be completed.

So far, crews have built foundations for the new overpass, lanes have shifted, sound walls have risen and the foundation of the future Steilacoom-DuPont Road roundabout is completed.

As WSDOT enters phase two of the project, drivers can expect to see traffic shifts continue during daytime hours and reduced lanes during the slower evening to early morning hours as work continues to “increase capacity.”

WSDOT said the work should not affect the number of lanes that will be available during daytime hours and times with higher concentrations of traffic.


Projected work during stage two: Summer 2024 – Spring 2025

  • Open the new Steilacoom-DuPont Road on-ramp to northbound I-5.
  • Widen northbound I-5 between Clark Road and the future Steilacoom-DuPont Road overpass.
  • Shift southbound I-5 traffic. Create a new work zone between northbound and southbound I-5.
  • Shift northbound I-5 traffic to newly constructed pavement.
  • Construct new I-5 pavement between northbound and southbound traffic.
  • Partially remove the existing I-5 bridge over Pendleton Avenue.
  • Begin building the Steilacoom-DuPont Road roundabout. Begin building the roadway to the new bridge over I-5.


Once the link between I-5, JBLM, and Steilacoom-DuPont Road is complete with a new bridge, the old bridge will be removed, which is expected to happen sometime in 2025.

The $233.3 million project is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

More information about the project can be found on the WSDOT website.