Funding ApplicationCompetition Regional FHWA

Application Type Corridors Serving Centers

Status submitted

Submitted: April 19th, 2018 3:47 PM

Prepopulated with screening form? Yes

Project Information1. Project Title

I-5 / Port of Tacoma Road Interchange Improvements2. Regional Transportation Plan ID

55753. Sponsoring Agency

Fife4. Cosponsors

WSDOT5. Does the sponsoring agency have "Certification Acceptance" status from

WSDOT?No

6. If not, which agency will serve as your CA sponsor?WSDOT Olympic Region in Pierce County

Contact Information1. Contact name

Russ Blount2. Contact phone

253-922-24893. Contact email

rblount@CityofFife.org

Project Description1. Project Scope

This project reconstructs the NB I-5 On and Off ramps at the Port of Tacoma Roadinterchange and constructs a new road (34th Ave E) from 20th Street E north to the I-5 SBOff-ramp, crossing over I-5 on a new 34th Ave E bridge. It creates two new rampintersections, one at Port of Tacoma Road and one at the new 34th Ave E road. Another newintersection is created at 20th Street E and the new 34th Ave E roadway. Traffic signals will beinstalled at all of the new intersections. This project is Phase 2 of the interchangeimprovements at the Port of Tacoma Road and the grant funds requested in this applicationare for construction of the Phase 2 project.

The entire Port of Tacoma Road project (Phases 1 and 2) will reconfigure the 1-5 / Port ofTacoma Rd interchange into a split diamond with one-way couplet. When completed Port ofTacoma Road will be a one-way SB street from 12th St E to 20th St E and 34th Ave E will bereconstructed and extended to a one-way NB street from 20th St E to 12th St E. Trafficsignals will be installed at all new intersections. Phase 1 of the project completes all work on

1 of 12

signals will be installed at all new intersections. Phase 1 of the project completes all work onthe north side of I-5. Phase 2 completes all the work on the south side of I-5 and willcomplete the split diamond with one-way couplet interchange configuration.

2. Project Justification, Need, or PurposeThe primary goals of this project are are reduced congestion and improved access to the Portof Tacoma, improved operation and safety of the I-5 mainline operations and all streets andintersections in the project vicinity, and completion of the planned interchangereconfiguration.

Project Location1. Project Location

I-5/Port of Tacoma Road Interchange2. Please identify the county(ies) in which the project is located.

Pierce3. Crossroad/landmark nearest the beginning of the project

I-5 and Port of Tacoma Road Northbound Exit Ramp4. Crossroad/landmark nearest the end of the project

20th Street E and Port of Tacoma Road Northbound On-Ramp5. Map and project graphics

Fife_Project_Phasing.jpg, Fife_Project_Vicinity_Map.jpg

Plan Consistency1. Is the project specifically identified in a local comprehensive plan?

Yes2. If yes, please indicate the (1) plan name, (2) relevant section(s), and (3) page

number where it can be found.The Fife City Council adopted this project and its phasing into the City’s comprehensive planthrough its 2011 amendment process adopted by ordinance 1762-2011.

3. If no, please describe how the project is consistent with the applicable localcomprehensive plan, including specific local policies and provisions the projectsupports. In addition, please describe how the project is consistent with atransit agency plan or state plan, if applicable.N/A

Federal Functional Classification1. Functional class name

12 Urban Principal Arterial - Expressway

Support for Centers1. Describe the relationship of the project to the center(s) it is intended to support.

For example, is it located within a designated regional, countywide or localcenter, or is it located along a corridor connecting to one of these areas?The project is located in the City of Fife (City), in Pierce County, just outside the City of Tacoma(Tacoma) and neighbors the Port of Tacoma (Port) in an area adjacent to tidelands where thePuyallup River enters Commencement Bay in the Puget Sound. The Port is an identifiedManufacturing/Industrial Center (MIC) and Downtown Tacoma is an identified Regional GrowthCenter. Both were among the initial centers adopted with the Growth Management Act andhave demonstrated their value to the region through significant grants. The project is locatedalong a corridor serving as the primary connection from Interstate 5 (I-5) to the Port at thePort of Tacoma Road Interchange. The project corridor also provides a direct access to thedowntown Tacoma area from I-705, which can be accessed from the Port of Tacoma Road justnorth of the project limits.

The project provides the primary - and namesake - entrance to the Port of Tacoma fromInterstate 5. I-5 is Washington State's transportation backbone. By connecting the Port MIC toI-5, this project provides direct connections to many designated Growth Centers and indirectaccess to every center in the region and state.

Criteria: Benefit to Regional Growth or Manufacturing/Industrial

2 of 12

Criteria: Benefit to Regional Growth or Manufacturing/IndustrialCenter1. Describe how this project will benefit or support the housing and employment

development in a regional growth center(s) and/or employment growth in amanufacturing/industrial center(s). Does it support multiple centers? Pleaseprovide a citation of the relevant policies and/or specific project references in asubarea plan or in the comprehensive plan.The Port of Tacoma interchange is the main access to the Port and provides access to theCity of Fife north business district. It truly is the “last mile” for products grown andmanufactured in the Pacific Northwest for export overseas. It also represents a critical chokepoint for truck movements between the Port and the warehouses and distribution centers inthe Green River and Puyallup River valleys—the second largest logistics center on the WestCoast. Forty-four percent of regional truck trips by the ports of Tacoma and Seattle aredestined for this area.

The importance of this interchange cannot be overemphasized. Specifically, the interchangeprovides the following:

1. The Interchange supports two roadways both of which are T-1 freight corridors, located onthe U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Highway Multimodal Freight Network (MFN)serving a USDOT MFN-designated port (the second largest gateway for containerized cargoon the West Coast and the fourth largest in North America.

2. The Interchange serves four international container terminals and one international autoterminal that handle slightly under 1.7 million twenty-foot equivalent units of containerizedcargo and over 185,000 automobile imports; these facilities generate $1.86 billion inbusiness revenue and support over 7,000 direct jobs.

3. The Interchange serves as the primary truck route connecting Joint Base Lewis-McChord—the largest power projection platform west of the Rocky Mountains—and the Port ofTacoma, a U.S. Department of Defense-designated strategic port.

4. The project will provide significant local and national economic benefits as Puget Sound isthe third largest gateway in North America for containerized cargo. Specifically, in 2012, thePort handled $46 billion worth of international trade. Seventy percent of internationalcontainer cargo passing through the Port is bound for locations in the American Midwest andEast Coast. The Port also is the principal gateway for the state of Alaska, handling anestimated $3 billion worth of trade between the two states; approximately 70 percent ofcargo bound for Alaska passes across the Port’s docks.

In fact, Washington is the most trade-dependent state in the nation, with an estimated 40percent of jobs connected to international trade. The Port accounts for more than 12,000direct, 10,000 induced, and 5,000 indirect jobs in Washington State and generates more than$2.4 million in annual wages. In Pierce County, Port activities account directly, indirectly, andinduced for more than 16,000 jobs and generates more than $1.4 million in annual wages. Inthe state of Washington, 266,899 jobs are related to cargo movement at the Port, whichgenerates $10.0 billion of wages, salaries, and consumption expenditures.

2. Describe how the project provides or benefits a range of travel modes to userstraveling to/from centers, or if it provides a missing mode.The project will reduce congestion and travel time for all vehicular travel modes. Theoperational benefits provided by the project are summarized below.

• Improves the freeway level of service and will facilitate freight mobility to and from the Port,which in turn, improves access to local and area businesses.

• Reduces AM travel time on I-5 between SR 18 and I-705 in 2040 by 3 minutes. The AMtravel time reduction is significant as it is the period where the interchange serves the largestvolume of trucks/freight entering and exiting the Port.

• Provides full directional access between I-5 and Port of Tacoma Road, 34th Avenue East,and other local roads via interchange ramps and one-way couplet arterials. The proposedreconfiguration design accommodates spacing requirements and constraints and meetscurrent geometric standards.

• Comprises significantly fewer conflict points and simpler signal phasing than the existinginterchange, which will lower accident rates.

• Adds a safe pedestrian and bicycle route across I-5 on the proposed new bridge, therebyreconnecting parts of Fife that were cut-off by the original construction of I-5 over 50 yearsago. Neither the existing Port of Tacoma Road overpass bridge nor any other I-5 crossing inFife currently includes safe pedestrian facilities.

3. Describe how the project will benefit a variety of user groups, including

3 of 12

3. Describe how the project will benefit a variety of user groups, includingcommuters, residents, and/or commercial users.The project is included in the Washington State Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan andhas been coordinated with the state and local land use and transportation plans for the area.Statewide plans include the Washington Transportation Plan and the WSDOT State HighwaySystem Plan. Regional plans include the PSRC Transportation 2040 Plan, the Pierce CountyComprehensive Plan, and Sound Transit Sound Move Plan. Finally, local plans include thecomprehensive plans of the cities of Tacoma and Fife. The development of those plansincluded surveys and feedback from all user groups. The project is essentially a freightproject, but does serve low income residents, tribal community, transit users, and localbusinesses that do and will continue to use the interchange.

Within the freight community, the preliminary design and selection of the preferred alternativewas completed with oversight from a Technical Advisory Committee that included WSDOT, thePort, the cities of Tacoma and Fife, SSA Marine, and other representatives of the industrysupported by the transportation network in the immediate vicinity of the project. Additionalproject stakeholders who support the project and who have provided $515,000 of funding forthe Tideflats Area Transportation Study - an important planning document for agenciesaffected by the proposed project — include the following: Port, City of Tacoma, Pierce County,SSA Marine, and Marine View Ventures.

The overall project is a strategic and cost-effective investment in transportation infrastructurebecause its purpose is to remedy currently deficient infrastructure while promoting thecontinuing development of the Port and the other businesses in the area. The Port’srecognition of the significance of the project to port growth has also been demonstratedthrough its participation funding the completion of the project’s IJR and NEPA evaluation.

4. Describe how the project will benefit minority and low-income populations asidentified in the President’s Order for Environmental Justice, seniors, people withdisabilities, those located in highly impacted communities, and/or areasexperiencing high levels of unemployment or chronic underemployment; pleasebe specific and provide data where applicable.The project will improve transportation mobility and safety for all residents of the City. The Cityof Fife covers approximately 5.6 square miles with an estimated population of 9,346 (per the2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates). In addition to all the commercialgrowth due to its proximity and access to the Port, Fife’s residential growth has led to acurrent population which is doubled from a decade ago.

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 9,173 people, 3,642 households, and 2,192 familiesresiding in the city. The population density was 1,612.1 inhabitants per square mile. Therewere 3,895 housing units at an average density of 684.5 per square mile. The racial makeupof the city was 55.2% White, 8.2% African American, 3.0% Native American, 15.5% Asian, 2.7%Pacific Islander, 7.6% other races, and 7.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of anyrace were 17.4% of the population.

There were 3,642 households of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living withthem, 39.8% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with nohusband present, 6.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.8% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.2% had someone livingalone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and theaverage family size was 3.12.The median age in the City was 30.9 years. 25.7% of residents were under the age of 18;10.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 36.9% were from 25 to 44; 20.4% were from 45to 64; and 6.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.4%male and 49.6% female.

In comparing selected deomographic characteristics with the State of Washington (WA) andPierce County, Fife represents about 1% of the Pierce County population. According toTacoma-Pierce County Health Department (WA State Department of Health (DOH): CommunityHealth Assessment Tool (CHAT)), the City of Fife is a community with: • More children under 5 (8.2%); but fewer seniors aged 75 and older (2.5%).

• A more ethnically-diverse population with fewer Whites (55.6%) than Pierce County (76%)and WA State (79%).

• More Asians (17.2%), African Americans (11.3%), Native American (3.3%) and some otherraces (6.1%).

• More individuals with a Hispanic/Latino origin (15.3%) than Pierce County (8.9%) and WAState (10.9%).

• A lower median household income ($56K) than Pierce County ($59K) and WA State ($59K).

• More single household families with related children under 18 years living in poverty (9.7%)than Pierce County (4.7%) and WA State (4.5%).

4 of 12

• A higher motor vehicle mortality rate (18.1 incidents per 100,000 population) compared toPierce County (6.8) and WA State (7.6).

An Environmental Justice Discipline Report was prepared for the project (March 2014) and thereport summary identifies the following as "Potential Impacts".

1. The project will have proximity impacts on a number of businesses on both sides of I-5.Minority populations were observed as workers in some of these businesses and arepresumed to be represented in other businesses within the project footprint.

2. The project will require acquisition of one property associated with these businesses;however, there will be no displacements to any residents. The construction impacts will affectall populations equally, and impacts felt by minority or low-income populations will not begreater than to any other population.

3. The project will have unavoidable adverse effects from construction noise, dust, and work-zone traffic control, but will have a minimal impact due to the commercial and industrialnature of the project’s vicinity and existing traffic-related noise and congestion. Localbusinesses will also benefit from the project’s improvements to traffic flow, which will benefitboth owners (minority or otherwise) and all employees. Thus, there will be no high adverseand disproportionate impacts on minority or low-income populations.

5. Describe how the project will support the establishment of new jobs/businessesor the retention of existing jobs/businesses including those in the industryclusters identified in the adopted regional economic strategy.The project will provide significant national economic benefits as Puget Sound is the thirdlargest gateway in North America for containerized cargo. Specifically, the Port is one of thelargest container ports in North America and one of the top 50 in the world. The Port handles$46 billion worth of international trade. Seventy percent of international container cargopassing through the Port is bound for locations in the American Midwest and East Coast. Infact, Washington is the most trade-dependent state in the nation, with an estimated 40percent of jobs connected to international trade. The Port indirectly accounts for more thanintern jobs in Washington State.

Right now, the Port is experiencing the most intense global competition it has ever faced.The government of British Columbia, Canada, has spent $25 billion at the ports of PrinceRupert and Vancouver to lure jobs and cargo north of Washington’s borders. The newovercrossing and revised interchange will create efficiencies in the freight connectionsbetween the Port and the intermodal yard south of I-5, as well as the transload warehousingand distribution centers for the City, improving the Port’s competiveness with these Canadianports.

The Port of Tacoma interchange also provides access to the City’s north business district.Improved access to I-5 and Pacific Highway East will improve general traffic circulation in thearea. With better access and more efficient traffic movement, business will increase, in turn,stimulating private investment in the City and along the commercial corridors near theinterchange.

The interchange must be reconstructed to move vehicles and traffic more efficiently andsafely. Port activities alone contribute more than $223 million each year in state and localtaxes. Investments made by nearby businesses with better access will produce additional taxrevenues that would be sacrificed if the project is not constructed. In Pierce County, Portactivities account directly, indirectly, and induced for more than 16,000 jobs and generatesmore than $1.4 million in annual wages. In the state of Washington, 266,899 jobs are relatedto cargo movement at the Port, which generates $10 billion of wages, salaries, andconsumption expenditures. Improving freight mobility to the Port is a necessary step inproviding more efficient access to jobs, services, and centers of trade throughout the PugetSound region.

Criteria: System Continuity/Long-Term Benefit and Sustainability1. Describe how this project supports a long-term strategy to maximize the

efficiency of the corridor, including TDM and activities and ITS improvements thatuse advanced technologies or innovative approaches to improve traffic flow.Describe the problem and how this project will remedy it.The total project (Phases 1 and 2) includes a total of ten signalized intersections, plus tworamp meter installations. All twelve signals will be interconnected for control by the WSDOTTraffic Operations Center. The split diamond configuration includes a "square-about" as thecentral project feature. This innovative configuration provides much of the efficiency of aroundabout for high volumes of truck traffic.

5 of 12

2. Describe how this project provides a “logical segment” that links to a regionalgrowth or manufacturing/industrial center.The project will upgrade an existing interchange that is a vital link to the Port. Existingconditions inhibit economic growth because of poor access to and from the containerterminals located at the Port and the associated local economic benefits generated by theoperations at the Port. The proposed project will significantly upgrade the performancecharacteristics of this interchange, which is functionally obsolete now and has no capacity forany future growth. This interchange connects the Port to I-5, Washington State's principalhighway.

3. Describe how the project fills in a missing link or removes barriers to/from acenter.The Port of Tacoma/ I-5 interchange is the main access to the Port and the interchange alsoprovides access to the City’s north business district. Today, the interchange is characterizedby closely spaced intersections with both State Route 509 (SR 509) and Pacific HighwaySouth (also known as old SR 99), high volumes of truck traffic, and geometrically andfunctionally deficient on- and off-ramps. There are six intersections in just over a half-mile ofPort of Tacoma Road. On some segments of the interchange, trucks constitute 30 percent ofthe traffic. These conditions result in heavy congestion and difficult truck and vehicle accessto this industrial area and to the Port, one of the largest ports on the West Coast.

Design, value engineering, and traffic modeling studies confirmed the need for theimprovements and identified an alternative configuration for the interchange and the I-5 /Portof Tacoma Road ramps. The two major components of the project ― a new interchangedesign and related surface road improvements ― will address many Port of Tacoma Roadaccess, traffic congestion, and safety issues.

The selected proposed interchange configuration creatively uses existing city streets andthe existing freeway overpass to provide a substantial increase in capacity with a relativelysmall new footprint that minimizes environmental impacts and right-of-way needs. The designalso avoids expensive new structures that are typical of these types of improvements and canbe constructed with minimal impact to existing traffic. The square-about design wasendorsed by the Washington Trucking Association as the best solution for truck movementsof the 12 alternatives considered for this location.

4. Describe how this project will relieve pressure or remove a bottleneck on theregional transportation system and how this will positively impact overall systemperformance.The proposed improvements would create four intersections made up of two one-wayapproaches. The overall interchange reconfiguration will add a new bridge over I-5 at 34thAvenue East to carry northbound traffic while the existing bridge at Port of Tacoma Road willbe converted to one-way southbound. Each of these intersections would have simplegeometry and phasing, with only five conflict points and two signal phases per intersection.The central four intersections, at the ends of the four freeway ramps, will be signalized andscaled for high volumes of trucks but will operate with much of the efficiency seen withroundabouts. The interchange design has affectionately been called a “square-about.”Technically, this configuration is a "split-diamond with one-way couplet".

Locating the new southbound exit ramp from I-5 closer to the freeway and farther from PacificHighway will eliminate tight turns for trucks and avoids interference with the intersection ofPort of Tacoma Road and Pacific Highway. Extending 34th Avenue East and making it one-waynorthbound will relieve traffic congestion at the major road intersections and improve accessto the Port.

Improvements will also include • Realigning 34th Avenue East• Reconstructing the pavement to provide structural capacity for heavy truck traffic• Widening the pavement to provide 12.5-foot lanes• Adding drainage facilities to improve the water quality of stormwater runoff• Adding planter strips with street trees • Upgrading illumination, sidewalks, and pedestrian signals

5. Describe how this project addresses safety and security.Looking at the history of accidents around the project site, I-5 southbound off-ramp to Port ofTacoma Road alone contributes 28 accidents per million vehicle miles. Traffic volume isexpected to increase by 300 percent in 2040 and likely increase the accidents by 300percent or more. The main reason for the accidents is the current geometry.

Between January 2004 and April 2015, there have been 225 total collisions on Port of TacomaRoad between 20th Street East and SR 509 and 36 collisions on Pacific Highway betweenPort of Tacoma Road and 34th Avenue East. At the intersections along Port of Tacoma Roadbetween Pacific Highway East and 20th Street East, there have been 96 collisions. In addition,there have been three fatal accidents in this area since January 2004.

The proposed improvement would create four intersections made up of two one-way

6 of 12

The proposed improvement would create four intersections made up of two one-wayapproaches. Each of these intersections would have simple geometry and phasing, with only5 conflict points and two signal phases per intersection. In comparison, the existingconfiguration has 11 conflict points and five signal phases for the southbound rampsintersection and 6 conflict points for the northbound ramps. Generally, an intersection withfewer conflict points and simpler signal phasing will have lower accident rates. Therefore, theproposed improvement is expected to have a lower accident rate overall than the existingconfiguration.

6. Describe how the project provides opportunities for active transportation thatcan lead to public health benefits.With close proximity to major freeways and big cities, a growing parks and trails system, andyear-round community activities, Fife has become an excellent community for families to liveand for businesses to prosper. The City represents the intersection of agriculture, industry,and community. This ever-growing community now boasts shopping, dining, and grocerystores along with library services, recreational opportunities, and more.

However, the heavy freight traffic entering and exiting and associated traffic congestioncreate a less than ideal situation for the residents of the City. By improving these traffic flowsand routing through the north business district as previously described will improve thequality of life for the residents by improving the ability to walk, cycle, and drive within the citylimits. It is also anticipated to improve air quality, an important health aspect for activetransportation activities. The project will also include the first pedestrian route across the I-5corridor in Fife that will meet current standards for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)access.

This project will alleviate congestion and thus, reduce air quality environmental impacts withinthe project vicinity. Improvements to the existing storm systems will enhance overall waterquality.

The area ordinarily is choked by traffic attempting to maneuver through it. The proposedproject will transform the Port of Tacoma Road/I-5 interchange into a more efficient means oftravel for cars and trucks entering and exiting I-5 and reduce the vehicular hours of delay(VHD) by redesigning the interchange from a mixed diamond/partial cloverleaf to a diamond-couplet. A reduction in VHD will reduce the amounts of particulate matter emitted into the air,along with carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. The project also will reduce the vehicle milestraveled by 5,500 daily, thus improving air quality, lowering fuel consumption, and reducinggreenhouse gas emissions.

In the latest Environmental Protection Agency-approved emission estimation model forWashington (WASIST 1.0), modeled CO levels were well below the National Ambient Air QualityStandard for both the build and no-build in all the analysis years (existing, year of opening,and design years). In the five intersections modeled for the existing, year of opening buildand no build, and design year build and no-build, CO levels went down slightly from theexisting year (2010) to the year of opening (2020), and down slightly more to the design year(2040) with the highest CO levels being seen in the “No Build 2040.”

Air Quality and Climate Change: Element Selection1. Please select one or more elements in the list below that are included in the

project’s scope of work, and provide the requested information in the pages tofollow.Roadway Improvement, Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities

Air Quality and Climate Change: Roadway Improvement1. What is the length of the project?

The project is 5,000 feet long in the East-West direction and 3,000 feet long in the North-South direction.

2. What is the average daily traffic before and after the project?ADT's for the project are dependent on which roadway segment is being considered. Thefollowing ADT's were reported for the 2016 TIB Application (limited to 4 segments):1. 34th Avenue East: 2006 ADT = N/A (new roadway) 2040 ADT: 11,0652. 12th Avenue East: 2006 ADT = 1,450 2040 ADT: 11,1953. Port of Tacoma Road: 2006 ADT = 10,930 2040 ADT: 11,3904. SB I-5 On/Off Ramps: 2006 ADT = 4,720 2040 ADT: 7,820

3. What is the average speed before and after the project?This data is not readily available for the project, which being an interchange, essentiallyoperates as an intersection. Therefore, Level of Service (LOS) and queuing lengths are themeasurable parameters of interest and this information can be found in one of the applicationattachments.

7 of 12

4. What is the average daily transit ridership along the corridor?N/A

5. How many daily peak period transit trips serve the corridor?N/A

6. What is the expected increase in transit speed due to the BAT/HOV lanes?N/A

7. What is the expected increase in transit ridership due to the BAT/HOV lanes?N/A

8. What is the percentage of freight truck traffic on the facility?30%

9. Will the project result in shorter trips and reduced VMT? If so, please explain.N/A

10. Please describe the source of the project data provided above (e.g.,Environmental Impact Statement, EPA/DOE data, traffic study, survey, previousprojects, etc.).A traffic study and report prepared for the project and Pierce Transit are the primary sourcesof the project data provided above.

Air Quality and Climate Change: Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities1. Describe the facilities being added or improved

Sidewalks and/or paved shoulders are included on the City's roadway segments. A significantportion of the project is located within the right-of-way of I-5. These facilities will be owned andmaintained by WSDOT in accordance with their policies and procedures.

The new bridge over I-5 on 34th Avenue E is a key project element and it will provide the firstADA compliant pedestrian crossing over I-5 in Fife.

2. What is the length of the proposed facility?The project is 5,000 feet long in the East-West direction and 3,000 feet long in the North-South direction.

3. Describe the connections to existing bicycle/pedestrian facilities and transit.The new 34th Avenue East bridge crossing I-5 will provide pedestrian and bicycleconnections to the existing Pierce Transit Routes 500 and 501 on Pacific Highway East and20th Street East respectively.

Sidewalks are continuous along Pacific Highway east; sidewalks along 20th Street East arediscontinuous. The project will close sidewalk gaps along 20th Street East and provide newsidewalks along 34th Ave E which will serve as an alternate route for crossing I-5 at Port ofTacoma Road.

4. Describe the current bicycle/pedestrian usage in the project area. If known,provide information on the shift from single occupancy vehicles.N/A

5. What is the expected increase in bicycle/pedestrian usage from the project? Ifknown, provide information on the shift from single occupancy vehiclesN/A

6. What is the average bicycle trip length?N/A

7. What is the average pedestrian trip length?N/A

8. Please describe the source of the project data provided above (e.g.,Environmental Impact Statement, EPA/DOE data, traffic study, survey, previousprojects, etc.)A traffic study and report prepared for the project and project design elements are theprimary sources of the project data provided above.

PSRC Funding Request1. What is the PSRC funding source being requested?

STP2. Has this project received PSRC funds previously?

Yes

8 of 12

3. If yes, please provide the project's PSRC TIP IDFIF-16

Phase Year Alternate Year Amountconstruction 2021 2022 $4,620,000.00

Total Request: $4,620,000.00

Total Estimated Project Cost and SchedulePE

Funding Source Secured/Unsecured AmountOther State Secured $2,500,000.00Local Secured $530,000.00

$3,030,000.00Expected year of completion for this phase: 2020

ROW

Funding Source Secured/Unsecured AmountOther State Secured $4,000,000.00Local Secured $667,500.00

$4,667,500.00Expected year of completion for this phase: 2019

Construction

Funding Source Secured/Unsecured AmountSTP(U) Reasonably Expected $4,620,000.00FMSIB Secured $7,533,000.00Other State Secured $13,200,000.00TIB Reasonably Expected $7,000,000.00Local Reasonably Expected $8,317,000.00

$40,670,000.00Expected year of completion for this phase: 2023

Summary1. Estimated project completion date

20232. Total project cost

$48,367,500.00

Funding Documentation1. Documents

FMSIB_Funding_Summary_Letter_2015_-_POTR_Project_with_comments.pdf,Connecting_Washington_Ltr_fr_STax.pdf, TIB_Bid_Authorization_Letter.pdf,Pierce_County_Letter_of_Support_for_Fife.pdf,NWSA_POT_Road_Interchange_support_letter.pdf, Fife_TIP_2018_2023_Map_11x17.pdf,Adopted_2018-2023_Six_Year_TIP.PDF, FMSIB_Project_Phase.JPG,Connecting_Washington_Screen_Shot.JPG, 2040_Level_of_Service_Comparison.pptx

2. 2. Please describe the secure or reasonably expected funds identified in thesupporting documentation. For funds that are reasonably expected, an explanation

9 of 12

supporting documentation. For funds that are reasonably expected, an explanationof procedural steps with milestone dates for completion which will be taken tosecure the funds for the project or program should also be included.The secured "Other State" funds are Connecting WA funds. $22.3 million was awarded to thisproject, $2.6 million was advanced to Phase 1, the rest is being used for Phase 2. Also securedare FMSIB funds for this phase 2 project in the amount of $7.533 million. The 'ReasonablyExpected' Funds include the STP(U) funds that we are applying for and additional TIB funds thatwe will be applying for as we get closer to the Construction phase. TIB supports this project andhas provided $7.6 million for construction of Phase 1. Fife will continue to pursue all fundingsources to help reduce the City's cost of this project.

Project Readiness: PE1. Are you requesting funds for ONLY a planning study or preliminary engineering?

No2. Is preliminary engineering complete?

No3. What was the date of completion (month and year)?

N/A4. Have preliminary plans been submitted to WSDOT for approval?

Yes5. Are there any other PE/Design milestones associated with the project? Please

identify and provide dates of completion. You may also use this space to explainany dates above.The project was planned in consultation with WSDOT, FHWA, the City of Tacoma, the Port, andthe City of Fife. An IJR was completed and approved, as well as the project’s NEPAenvironmental document, a Documented Categorical Exclusion (DCE). The proposedalternative satisfies the project’s objective and supports the FHWA eight policy points asdescribed in the IJR. Both the IJR and NEPA DCE can be reviewed at the City’s website.

A construction contact for Phase 1 will be awarded by the end of April 2018. The PS&E for thisphase (Phase 2) of the project is approximately 25% complete. Phase 2 includes theconstruction of a new bridge over I-5. The preliminary bridge plans have been approved byWSDOT. All of the important design features of the project are essentially locked down andcannot be changed. Some design details for the project remain worked out in parallel withright-of-way acquisition process for Phase 2, but the completion of the Plans, Specificationsand Estimates (PS&E) for Phase 2 will primarily involve preparation of the final constructioncontract documents and its review and approval by WSDOT.

6. When are preliminary plans expected to be complete?June 2020

Project Readiness: NEPA1. What is the current or anticipated level of environmental documentation under

the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for this project?Documented Categorical Exclusion (DCE)

2. Has the NEPA documentation been approved?Yes

3. Please provide the date of NEPA approval, or the anticipated date of completion(month and year).October 12, 2016

Project Readiness: Right of Way1. Will Right of Way be required for this project?

Yes2. How many parcels do you need?

9 for Phase 23. What is the zoning in the project area?

Regional/Commercial and Industrial4. Discuss the extent to which your schedule reflects the possibility of

condemnation and the actions needed to pursue this.The right of way plans for the project have been approved by WSDOT and the projectschedule includes two years for right of way acquisition. This is sufficient time to conclude

10 of 12

schedule includes two years for right of way acquisition. This is sufficient time to concludeany condemnation proceedings if required. The City has historically used its condemnationauthority when necessary.

5. Does your agency have experience in conducting right of way acquisitions ofsimilar size and complexity?Yes

6. If not, when do you expect a consultant to be selected, under contract, andready to start (month and year)?N/A

7. In the box below, please identify all relevant right of way milestones, includingthe current status and estimated completion date of each.The City completed the acquisition of right-of-way for Phase 1, including the completion of alimited access hearings. Acquisition of right-of-way for Phase 2 is anticipated to be lesscomplicated than the acquisition of right-of-way for Phase 1.

Project Readiness: Construction1. Are funds being requested for construction?

Yes2. Do you have an engineer's estimate?

Yes3. Engineers estimate document

Fife_I-5_POT_Rd_Interchange_Phase_2_Cost_Estimate.pdf4. Identify the environmental permits needed for the project and when they are

scheduled to be acquired.NEPA has been completed.

5. Are Plans, Specifications & Estimates (PS&E) approved?No

6. Please provide the date of approval, or the date when PS&E is scheduled to besubmitted for approval (month and year).June 2020

7. When is the project scheduled to go to ad (month and year)?October 2020

Other Considerations1. Describe any additional aspects of your project not requested in the evaluation

criteria that could be relevant to the final project recommendation and decision-making process.The project involves the construction of new I-5 ramps in within the state right of way. Thisincludes impacts to low quality wetlands located within the footprint of the existinginterchange. The City has constructed a significant wetland mitigation site adjacent toWapato Creek. The exchange of freeway infield wetlands and ditches for the enhancement ofa fish bearing stream has be acknowledged as a significant net benefit by the Puyallup Tribe.

2. Describe any innovative components included in your project: these couldinclude design elements, cost saving measures, or other innovations.The project's selected proposed interchange configuration creatively uses existing citystreets and the existing freeway overpass to provide a substantial increase in capacity with arelatively small new footprint that minimizes environmental impacts and right-of-way needs.The design also avoids expensive new structures that are typical of these types ofimprovements and can be constructed with minimal impact to existing traffic. The square-about design was endorsed by the Washington Trucking Association as the best solution fortruck movements of the 12 alternatives considered for this location.

3. Describe the process that your agency uses to determine the benefits ofprojects; this could include formal cost-benefit analysis, practical design, orsome other process by which the benefits of projects are determined.A formal cost-benefit analysis was performed and documented for the project to support a2016 TIGER Grant Application. The 2016 BCA Resource Guide, which is a supplement to theBenefit-Cost Analyses Guidance for TIGER Grant Applicants, was used for this portion of thegrant application. The resource guide provides the technical information andrecommendations for monetizing benefits as well as guidance on methodology. This analysisprovides evidence that the expected benefits of the project justify the costs with detailedassumptions and calculations in a way that is “transparent and reproducible,” for reviewers.

The full Cost Benefit Memorandum and analysis spreadsheet is available upon request.

11 of 12

4. Final documentsN/A

12 of 12

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

# #

#

###

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

20TH ST E

70TH

AV E

NORTH LEVEE RD E VALLEY AV E

54TH

AV E

PACIFIC HWY E

FREE

MAN

RD E

48TH ST E

PARK ST E

26TH ST E

4TH ST E

8TH ST E

INDUSTRY DR E

12TH ST E

FRAN

K AL

BERT

RD

E

62ND

AV E

61ST

AV E

78TH

AV E

15TH ST E

44TH ST E

28TH ST E

46TH

AV E

7TH ST E

51ST

AV E

26TH ST E

9

4321

8

6

7

5

12

54

23

10

32

34

27

26

25 24 22

36

43

15

52

50

49

53

47

44

41

39

46

42

4533

13

31

48

19

14

38

29

28

37

30

21

51

20

11

35

40

.

City wide projects16,17 and 18

06/7/2017 DAS Six Ye

ar Tra

nspo

rtatio

n Imp

rovem

ent P

rogram

From

2018

to 20

23

Six Year Transportation Improvement ProgramFrom 2018 to 2023# Projects

* project includes bike lanes

Priority Project1 Port of Tacoma Rd Interchange Modification - Phase 12 Pacific Highway E & 54th Ave E Intersection Improvements3 Pacific Highway E Non-Motorized Improvements *4 54th Ave & I-5 Interchange Improvement Project5 20th St E Reconstruction - 56th to 64th *6 20th Street E Reconstruction - 50th to 56th *7 Valley Ave E Reconstruction - 54th to Brookvile Gardens8 54th Ave E Grade Separation9 51st Ave E - New Road

10 2nd Street E - New Road11 Port of Tacoma Rd Interchange Modification - Phase 212 Pacific Highway Overlay Milwaukee way to Port of Tacoma Rd13 70th Ave E Reconstruction - North Segment14 52nd Ave E - New Road15 Grade Separation - Pedestrian RR Crossing16 Pavement Overlay Program17 Sidewalk Extension & Curb Returns - Various18 Bike Lanes - Various *19 Ped Trail - Brookville Gardens to Torre Property20 70th Ave E R.R. Overpass21 70th Ave E Reconstruction - South Segment22 Pacific Highway E Signal Interconnect23 SR167 Frontage Road: New Road24 Pacific Highway E Street Lighting (Phase 1)25 Pacific Highway E Street Lighting (Phase 2)26 54th Ave E School Zone Improvements27 Radiance Blvd E & 54th Ave E Roundabout28 Extension of 59th Ave E - Phase 229 70th Ave Bridge - New Bridge30 20th St E & Frank Albert Rd E Signalization31 Freeman Rd E Reconstruction - South Segment *32 8th Street E & 54th Ave E Intersection Improvements33 20th St E Reconstruction - 34th to Industry Dr34 David Court E & 54th Ave E Roundabout35 Reconstruction of Levee Rd - West Segment36 20th St E Reconstructon - Industry Dr to 54th *37 N Levee Rd - Central Segment Reconstructon38 N Levee Road Reconstruction - East Segment39 48th Street East Reconstruction - 70th to Freeman Rd40 52nd Ave E Improvement41 45th St E Extension & Reconstruction42 12th Street East Reconstruction - 62nd to Alexander43 New Connector Arterial - 40th St E to 78th Ave44 Puyallup River Trail - New Trail45 20th St E Reconstruction - 70th to Freeman Rd *46 62nd Ave E Reconstruction - North Segment47 74th Avenue East: New Road - 45th to 48th48 Frank Albert Rd Overcrossing I-549 62nd Ave E Overpass & Reconstruction50 New Connector Arterial - 54th Ave to Frank Albert Rd51 66th Avenue E - 20th St E to 26th St E52 12th Street E Extension - Alexander to 34th53 20th St E & 58th Ave E - Signalization54 Pedestrian Trail Wedge Park to 58th Ave

2040 No‐Action

2040 Diamond Couplet

STATE OF WASHINGTON

FREIGHT MOBILITY STRATEGIC INVESTMENT BOARD 1063 Capitol Way, Rm. 201 • PO Bo,c 40965 • Olympia, WA 98504-0965 • (360) 586-9695 • FAX (360) 586-9700

Dun Gatchel, Chair

Ashley Probart, r:xecutive Director

Board J\lemhrrs

Sheri C.ill

John Creighton

Erik Hansen

Johan Hellman

Pat llulcey

Geir-EilifKalhagen

Michael Karnofski

Mark Knudsen

Lynn Peterson

Tom Trulove

Brian Ziegler

Web Site www.fmsib.wa.gov

September 28, 2015

Russ Blount, PE Public Works Director City of Fife Fife, WA 98424

Re: Request to advance funds for Port of Tacoma Road Interchange Phases II and Ill

Dear Mr. Blount:

Congratulations! On September 181h, 2015, the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board approved

the City of Fife's request to accelerate its existing funding commitment to Phase II and Phase Ill of the Port of Tacoma Road project. This is in recognition that:

• The legislature has provided $22.3M towards the project; • There is an opportunity to realize project savings of joint construction of Phase I and Phase 11;

and • Right of way for Phase Ill can be procured several years earlier than previously proposed.

Funding for the Port of Tacoma Road project is the following: Description FMSIB Funding

Environmental Mitigation $2M

Interchange Phase I $2.334M

Phase II $4.333M

Phase Ill $7.533M

We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Ashley Probart Executive Director

Current Budget: (Biennium/$)

Completed in 15-17

17-19

17-19: $2M 19-21: $2.33M

21-23: $6.33M 23-25: $1.2M

Board Approval September 18, 2015

N/A

17-19: $4.33M

15-17: $3M 17-19: $4.533M

P.O. Box 2985 | Tacoma, WA 98401-2985 | 800-657-9808

The Northwest Seaport Alliance is a marine-cargo operating partnership of the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma.

April 10, 2018 Josh Brown, Executive Director Puget Sound Regional Council 1011 Western Ave, Suite 500 Seattle, Washington 98104 Dear Executive Director Brown: On behalf of The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), I am writing to express support for the City of Fife Port of Tacoma Road/Interstate 5 Interchange project. The NWSA is a partnership between the ports of Tacoma and Seattle for the management of their marine cargo operations. Combined, we represent the fourth largest load-center for containerized cargo in North America. The movement of marine cargo through our facilities supports an estimated 48,100 jobs in Washington State and generates $379 million in state and local taxes every year. Pierce County and the central Puget Sound Region are attracting manufacturing and industrial businesses and providing family-wage jobs. The City of Fife is undertaking a transportation improvement that will directly impact the largest economic engine in our region. Along with you, the Port of Tacoma Commission financially supported Phase 1 of the Port of Tacoma Road/I-5 Interchange and is working with Fife on closing the funding gap for Phase 2. Phase 2 of this project is worthy of your support. The I-5/Port of Tacoma Road Interchange is a transformational project that is notable in the following areas:

• Avoids gridlock and benefits the environment – The City of Fife is applying modern traffic engineering solutions to improve the movement of freight with minimal impact outside of the existing transportation corridors. Added benefits to reduced gridlock include reduced air emissions and a healthier environment.

• Creates jobs – Freight shippers will gravitate to the path of least resistance and lowest transportation cost. The Interchange project creates a route that will attract shipping activity at the Port of Tacoma which, in turn, creates more jobs to meet the shipping demand.

• Responsible investing – The Puget Sound Regional Council has previously invested in this project. It is time to support your partnership by providing the final mile investment for a complete project.

Sustaining a high quality of life and advancing social equity begins with job opportunities that pay family-supporting wages for all our citizens. Significant transportation projects, such as the I-5/ Port of Tacoma Road Interchange, provide the catalyst for economic development. Please lend your financial support to a project that creates opportunities for prosperity and success in our region. Sincerely,

John Wolfe, CEO The Northwest Seaport Alliance