Expect Backups: Major I-5 Exit To Tacoma Closes

TACOMA, WA - Drivers headed into downtown Tacoma should be aware that a major exit has closed, and will remain closed until at least November. On Friday night, the Washington state Department of Transportation closed exit 133. To access the downtown area from points south of the Tacoma Mall, driveres will now need to use exit 132.

The exit closure is part of a project to build HOV lanes between SR 16 and I-5. Exit 133 gives drivers access to I-705 and SR 7.

"During the closure, crews will build new northbound I-5 lanes, a new northbound I-5 bridge and a new northbound I-5 off-ramp to Tacoma's city center," WSDOT wrote on its blog about the closure. "They'll also start building new HOV lanes for both eastbound and westbound SR 16 traffic merging onto I-5.This is the third of three projects designed to improve the I-5/SR 16 interchange and provide a direct connection to HOV lanes between the two highways."

WSDOT is warning that the closure will likely cause "backups at peak commute times." The detour involves a merge with a short runway near where the exit 132 ramps splits off to SR 16. WSDOT released a video of the detour so drivers know what to expect.

Image via WSDOT