A new website built by proponents of the completion of SR 509 claims the project would create 17,000 new jobs, over 5 million square feet of office and other commercial space, result in more than $700 million in new construction, produce nearly $34 million in state and local revenues over a 20 year span and employ 9,000 people during the construction.
TimeFor509Now.org details the supporters, leadership team, and provides information about the 509 portion of the Puget Sound Gateway project that also includes SR 167.
The Puget Sound Gateway Program is comprised of two unique projects, SR 509 and SR 167, which together make major improvements to relieve traffic congestion and improve freight mobility. The Gateway Program is the key to enhancing the state’s economic competitiveness, both nationally and globally, by connecting the state’s largest ports to key distribution centers in King and Pierce counties and to eastern Washington.
The cost to complete SR509 is estimated to be $900 million. To raise that money would likely require making 509 a toll road. To that end WSDOT, working with stakeholders from affected jurisdictions, evaluated six different combinations of construction and tolling options.
Those options can be read here.
According to WSDOT-
The benefits of the completing the SR 509 and SR 167 projects include:
- Relieving traffic congestion and completing critical freight links between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma and key distribution centers, warehouses, and industrial areas in King and Pierce counties.
- Supporting regional job growth and economic growth at the state’s two largest ports.
- Improving regional mobility and relieving congestion on local roads and highways by providing new, more efficient travel options.
- Supporting master land use plans and economic development plans developed by cities in the Gateway corridors.
Included in the preferred phasing option is:
- One lane in each direction on SR 509 between S 188th Street and S 24th/28th avenues
- Two lanes in each direction on SR 509 between S 24th /28th avenues and I-5
- Full diamond interchange at SR 509 and S 188th Street
- Half diamond interchange at SR 509 and S 24th Avenue. This option provides direct access to the airport via S 24th and 28th avenues and an improvement over the existing Air Cargo Road from S 188th Street to the airport.
- Conversion of the existing I-5 HOV lane to express toll lane lanes and the use of inside shoulders as a second express toll lane during peak periods from the SR 509 connection to Federal Way.
- New interchange at 509 and I-5 that provides direct access to I-5 general purpose lanes and express toll lanes.
- A new connection between I-5 and Kent Valley via S 228 Street
- Reconstruction of the I-5 and SR 516 Interchange with collector-distributor connections between SR 516 and S 228th at I-5.
The preferred phasing option does not toll the existing SR 509 (north of S 188th Street). The project partners also acknowledge that although converting I-5 HOV lanes to express toll lanes is consistent with the state and Puget Sound Regional Council’s regional transportation plan, it is a major policy decision that requires further analysis and legislative action.
SR 167 Related Projects and studies
SR 509 related projects and studies
