Interstate 5 North - Pierce County

Taken during Interstate 5 expansion to add HOV-lanes at the Exit 132 interchange with SR 16 (Nalley Valley Interchange), this easterly view gives a glimpse of the Cascade Mountains rising to the east of the Seattle-Tacoma area. Work ongoing at Exit 132 focuses on upgrading the interchange between the two freeways to include new high-speed ramps, flyovers, and HOV connections. Adjacent work focuses on SR 16 to the Sprague Avenue interchange. Work there entails replacing the 1971-completed Nalley Valley Viaduct of SR 16 and the existing Sprague Avenue interchange to accommodate a wider freeway and HOV facilities.

08/29/06

Original guide sign for Interstate 705 (Exit 133) north & SR 7 south that was posted along I-5 north. Construction expanded I-5 to four roadways between SR 16 and the south end of I-705. Ramps from SR 16 join a local roadway to I-705 and SR 7 that originated ahead of Exit 132.

08/29/06

Construction continues in this view of the original Yakima Avenue overpass above Interstate 5 north near Exit 133. Interstate 705, the Tacoma Spur, travels just 1.50 miles north from a directional stack interchange with Interstate 5 and SR 7 to downtown Tacoma and Schuster Parkway along Commencement Bay.

08/29/06

The interchange between Interstate 5 and Interstate 705 north and SR 7 south (Exit 133) was constructed by 1988. Exit 133 departs Interstate 5 north and splits into separate ramps for the Interstate north and SR 7 south. SR 7 lines Tacoma Eastern Gulch southward as a freeway to 38th Street, shifting to a surface route (38th Street west to Pacific Avenue south) on its southern course exiting Tacoma. A stub end lies at the freeway partial interchange with 38th Street, alluding to a unconstructed extension south, perhaps as far as the SR 512 freeway.

08/29/06

A 1957-specification Interstate 5 shield that resided beyond the Exit 133 gore point to Interstate 705 north and SR 7 south. Pacific Avenue passes over the freeway and off-ramp beyond the shield.

08/29/06

Another rare state-named shield for Interstate 5 was posted along the northbound mainline across from the Tacomadome and east of the Mckinley Way overpass. There was only two northbound Washington shields between Tacoma and the state line remaining as of 2006, both were gone by 2012.

08/29/06

A split diamond interchange with Portland Avenue lies just east of the Tacoma city limits within the Puyallup Reservation. Portland Avenue travels north along the Puyallup River to the Port of Tacoma area.

08/29/06

Exit 134 leaves Interstate 5 north at the L Street overpass for Portland Avenue. The ramp joins parallel 28th Street to make the connection with Portland Avenue and following Bay Street. 28th Street becomes a part of SR 167 east from Exit 135. Portland Avenue south meanwhile enters residential areas of southeast Tacoma before interchanging with SR 512 near Midland.

08/29/06

SR 167 begins at a wye interchange (Exit 135) and travels along 28th Street east to River Road along the Puyallup to North Meridian in the city of Puyallup. The state route overtakes the freeway from SR 161, 7.26 miles from Exit 135, to encircle the southeastern suburbs to Interstate 405.

08/29/06

Exit 135 departs Interstate 5 north as the freeway prepares to cross the Puyallup River. SR 167 actually travels southeast before making its northward turn onto the freeway through Sumner, Auburn and Kent. The state route travels 28.6 miles between Tacoma and Renton, 19.26 miles of it along freeway.

08/29/06

Interstate 5 crosses the 1962-completed span over the Puyallup River on the one half mile approach to Exits 136A/B with Port of Tacoma Road.

08/29/06

Looking southeast at a Union Pacific railroad bridge crossing the Puyallup River south of Interstate 5.

08/29/06

Exit 136A joins Port of Tacoma Road south ahead of its end at 20th Street East. 20th Street leads east by a series of warehouses to Fife. More residential in nature to the east, 20th Street East eventually enters Edgewood.

08/29/06

A loop ramp onto Port of Tacoma Road north follows at Exit 136B. Port of Tacoma Road intersects former U.S. 99 (Pacific Highway) just north of Interstate 5 before entering the Port of Tacoma area north of SR 509.

08/29/06

Continuing east, Interstate 5 spans Wapato Creek and enters the Fife area. A distributor roadway departs for the Exit 137 ramps to 54th Avenue East and the northbound beginning of SR 99.

08/29/06

54th Avenue leads south from Exit 137 of Interstate 5 to Fife and Valley Road southeast to North Puyallup. 54th Avenue north carries SR 99 from Interstate 5 to the original U.S. 99 route along Pacific Highway east. The state route parallels the freeway northeast along the Milton city limits into Federal Way in King County.

08/29/06

Approaching the northward curve to Federal Way on Interstate 5 after the Exit 137 on-ramp.

08/29/06

Crossing the Hylebos Creek 1.50 miles south of a northbound side rest area facility near Federal Way. Interstate 5 passes under 70th Avenue and Porter Way before entering the city limits of Milton briefly. Porter Way (not pictured) was a part of SR 514, a 2.47 mile route between SR 99 and 161, until 1992.

08/29/06

Interstate 5 expands to include an HOV lane on the left side of northbound through Federal Way. This sign bridge now includes a dynamic message sign listing travel times.

08/29/06