Project overview
This project is intended to help relieve chronic traffic congestion and improve mobility along I-5 near Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Crews will rebuild the Steilacoom-DuPont Road (Exit 119) interchange and extend I-5 HOV lanes to Mounts Road.
What to expect
I-5 HOV lane changes
Southbound I-5
People traveling on southbound I-5 near 41st Division Drive may notice changes to the HOV lane. The contractor restriped a 750-foot-long section to create more room for drivers to merge from the 41st Division Drive on-ramp. This will help ease congestion approaching DuPont and JBLM exits.
Northbound I-5
Crews have opened a portion of the new northbound I-5 HOV lane. The addition runs from Pendleton Avenue to JBLM Main Gate. The remaining new northbound and southbound HOV lanes will open during 2026.
Mounts Road
A new traffic signal replaces an all-way stop on the southbound I-5 exit to Mounts Road. The traffic signal was activated on July 24.
I-5 work
Crews have created a new work zone in the I-5 median. The new work zone allows crews to build new northbound and southbound I-5 HOV lanes.
Work also continues on a new I-5 bridge over Pendleton Avenue. Crews will continue building a new Steilacoom-DuPont Road interchange and a connecting roundabout from Steilacoom-DuPont Road.
I-5 lane closures
Travelers can expect nighttime lane reductions on both directions of I-5. Crews will begin reducing lanes as early at 7 p.m. each Monday through Thursday night between Center Drive and 41st Division Drive. All lanes should reopen to traffic by 4:30 a.m. the following morning.
Ramp closures
Ramps will close no earlier than 7 p.m. and will reopen by 4:30 a.m. the next morning. No more than two consecutive ramps will close at a time. A signed detour will direct drivers to the next nearest on- or off-ramp.
Temporary changes to southbound I-5 exit 119/Steilacoom-DuPont Road
The southbound I-5 exit to Steilacoom-DuPont Road has been temporarily relocated. It is located between the new and existing Steilacoom-DuPont Road overpass. The exit will remain in this location until early 2026.
The temporary changes allow crews to continue construction of the new Steilacoom-DuPont Road interchange.
The project will add HOV lanes to both directions of I-5.
Crews will rebuild the Steilacoom-DuPont Road interchange. The new interchange will connect to Steilacoom-DuPont Road near Pendleton Avenue. Workers will replace the existing at-grade railroad crossing. Crews will build a new bridge. It will carry travelers over the tracks.
