For the Reporter
Drivers relying on State Route 18 between Federal Way and Auburn should plan for major delays and alternate routes during the weekend of July 24-27.
Crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will fully close westbound SR 18 and reduce SR 18 eastbound to one lane at State Route 167 as part of the SR 167 8th to 277th Southbound HOT Lane project.
Closure information
• Westbound SR 18 will fully close and eastbound SR 18 will be reduced to one lane starting 10 p.m. Friday, July 24. All lanes will open to traffic 5 a.m. Monday, July 27.
• Several ramps on SR 18 and SR 167 will also close:
– SR 167 to eastbound SR 18
– Westbound SR 18 to southbound SR167 and to West Valley Highway
– On-ramp from C Street Southwest to westbound SR 18
– On-ramp from West Valley Highway to eastbound SR 18 and northbound SR 167
• Drivers should plan extra time for travel and alternate routes on Interstate 5, Interstate 405, and Interstate 90
During the closure, crews will add a bridge pier to support the new SR 167 southbound HOT lane where it crosses over SR 18. This work is a key element of WSDOT’s SR 167 8th to 277th Southbound HOT Lane project that will add an 8 mile extension of the SR 167 southbound HOT lane system.
Project and construction details
When completed in 2017, the southbound HOT lane from its existing end point at 37th Street NW in Auburn to Eighth Street E in Pacific will reduce congestion and improve mobility, traffic flow and safety on SR 167.
Other improvements will include:
• Repaving southbound SR 167 between 37th Street NW in Auburn and Eighth Street E in Pacific.
• Constructing a single-lane bridge for the new SR 167 southbound HOT Lane as it travels over SR 18.
• Adding ramp meters at the SR 167 on-ramps at 15th Street SW, Ellingson Road and Eighth Street E.
• Improving the intersection at the southbound off-ramps at Ellingson Road and Eighth Street E.
