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Recap of the Planning and Environmental Linkages Study

What is a Planning and Environmental Linkages Study?

Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) helps transportation planners consider the environment, community, and other regional needs early on. The information, analysis, and products developed during planning inform the environmental review process.

Results of the PEL

This project began as a PEL study in 2022. The PEL identified environmental issues and involved the public in the planning process early. The project’s PEL Study (PDF 4.8MB) developed a Purpose and Need statement to guide the assessment of alternatives. WSDOT gathered input from federal, state, and local agencies, tribes, and other partners. Members of the public also had the opportunity to comment through an online open house. Then the PEL recommended a transportation alternative to analyze in the NEPA process.

WSDOT identified Alternative 2, Widen I-5 for HOV Lanes, as the recommended alternative. This was based on the evaluation done during PEL. This is the alternative advancing into the NEPA EA phase. This alternative adds one HOV lane in each direction of I-5 from Marvin Road to Mounts Road.

  • Alternative 2 would improve travel times and reduce congestion for general-purpose vehicles, trucks, HOV vehicles, and transit. It did so to a greater extent than the other alternatives evaluated.
  • Alternative 2 would provide greater access to economic opportunities than the other alternatives.
  • Alternative 2 would include a shared-use path along the north side of I-5 that extends from Exit 111 to Exit 118.
Diagram showing Alternative 2 cross-sections of I-5 on bridges and existing ground. Labels indicate lane widths, shoulders, and a shared use path. Southbound I-5 features a shared use path, shoulder lanes, three general purpose lanes and one HOV lane. Northbound I-5 features shoulder lanes, three general purpose lanes and one HOV lane.
Cross-section of Alternative 2, Widen 1-5 for HOV Lanes. This alternative adds one HOV lane in each direction of I-5 from Marvin to Mounts Road. It also includes a shared use path along the north side of I-5.
A rendering of the proposed shared use path. A cyclist and several pedestrians use a wide pathway with scenic views of the wildlife refuge under a partly cloudy sky.
The shared use path would extend from Exit 111 to Exit 118 along the north side of I-5.