Puget Sound Gateway Program: Combining SR 509 and SR 167
In 2015, the Washington State Legislature funded the SR 509 Completion Project in King County and SR 167 Completion Project in Pierce County jointly,under the Puget Sound Gateway Program. Combining both of these large projects helpsmaximizeefficiencies in planning, environmental review, design and construction.
SR 509 Completion Project benefits
- Freight connections.Completes critical freight links between the Port of Seattle and key distribution, warehouse, and industrial centers in King County.
- Regional mobility.Reduces traffic congestion on local roads and highways by completing connections between Seattle and the Kent Valley. Provides an alternate route to I-5 in south King County.
- Airport access.Provides a new connection between I-5 and Sea-Tac Airport from the south for both passengers and air cargo.
- Regional job and economic growth.Supports regional job growth and economic growth associated with the state's two largest seaports and Sea-Tac Airport.
- Intelligent transportation.Electronic tolling on the SR 509 Expresswaywill manage congestion, which improves safety and reliability for all users.
- Advanced wetland mitigation.Improves water quality and wildlife habitat by completing environmental improvements in the project area.
Three construction stages for the SR 509 Completion Project (2020-2028)
Stage 1a- Open to traffic
For Stage 1a of the SR 509 Completion Project, WSDOT partnered with Sound Transit’sFederal Way Link Extension projectto buildanew SR 99 bridge near South 208th Streetand new walls to reduce noiseto nearby neighborhoods. The partnership reduces construction impactsby building both projects at the same time. The SR 99 bridge was opened to traffic in July 2022.
Stage 1b - In progress
Stage 1b of the SR 509 Completion Project, called theSR 509/I-5 to 24th Avenue South – New Expressway Project, builds the first mile of new SR 509 Expressway, new I-5 ramps, new interchanges and anew bridge.Project visualizations are availableonour Flickr pageandWSDOT's Fall 2021 online open house. This stage of construction is expected to be complete in 2025.
Stage 2 - 2024-2028
Stage 2 of the SR 509 Completion Project, called theSR 509/24th Avenue South to South 188th Street – New Expressway Project, is the project's final stage. In Stage 2, WSDOT will build the remaining 2 miles of new SR 509 Expressway, reconfigure SR 509 interchanges at South 188th and South 160th Streets and add a southbound auxiliary lane on I-5 between SR 516 and South 272nd Street. Project visualizations are availableonour Flickr page,WSDOT's Spring 2022 online open house, and an interactive map. Construction is expected to start in 2024 and end in 2028.
2020-2028: Sequenced construction to complete SR 509 in south King County
Milestone
Winter 2020
Construction begins on stage 1a of the SR 509 Completion Project
November 2021
Work begins on stage 1b of the SR 509 Completion Project: The SR 509/I-5 to 24th Avenue South–New Expressway Project
Winter 2022
Substantial completion of stage 1a of the SR 509 Completion Project
Spring 2024
Expected start of stage 2 (final stage) of the SR 509 Completion Project, which builds the final 2 miles of new SR 509 Expressway
2025
Expected completion of stage 1b. The first mile of SR 509 Expressway opens, which will be tolled
2028
Expected completion date for the SR 509 Completion Project
The Puget Sound Gateway Program has $2.67 billion in funding from four sources:
- $2.31 billion: Connecting Washingtonand Move Ahead Washington funds
- $131.5million: Local contributions
- $180 million:Toll contributions(PDF 2.7MB)
- $74million: FederalINFRA grant (PDF 2MB)($20M from the INFRA grantis assumed in the local contributions)
SR 509 procurement
On Nov. 15, 2023, WSDOT will open the bid for SR 509, 24th Avenue South to South 188th Street – New Expressway Project. For more information and to sign-up to receive notices, please visitthe project's contract ad and award webpage.
SR 509 online open houses
WSDOT's spring 2022 online open house presented conceptual designs for Stage 2 of the SR 509 Completion Project and includes the public release of the SR 509 Completion Project introduction video. The open house is available in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, English, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. The comment period for this open house has closed.
WSDOT's fall 2021online open housepresented designs and potential construction impacts of Stage 1bof the SR 509 Completion Project. The open house is available in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, English, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. The comment period for this open house has closed.
Photos
Photos and visualizations can be found on the Puget Sound Gateway Program Flickr site.
Videos
- Welcome to the Puget Sound Gateway Program(YouTube)
- SR 509 Completion Project(YouTube)
- SR 509 Completion Project 3D tour(YouTube)
- SR 509 Expressway interactive map (Kuula)
- South 216th Bridge replacement and detour (YouTube)
- SR 167 Completion Project(YouTube)
- SR 167 Completion Project 3D tour(YouTube)
Other
- SR 509 Stage 1a: Sound Transit’sFederal Way Link Extension project
- SR 167 Stage 1a:New Wapato Way East Bridge and the future SR 167video (You Tube)
