Noise walls
To reduce noise impacts, we are building new noise walls that replace or extend existing noise walls within the project area. Four existing noise walls will be extended/replaced along the northbound side of I-5, and one new noise wall will be constructed along the southbound side of I-5. We are also building a retaining wall on the northbound side of SR 509.
Noise wall 1
This noise wall extends the existing wall along northbound I-5 to just south of the SR 516 interchange near Jeffery Road. Based on the height of the ground, it will be 10 to 20 feet tall, and will be about 1,100 feet long.
Noise wall 2
This noise wall replaces an existing noise wall along northbound I-5 just south of the South 216th Street Bridge. The existing wall needs to be removed to make room for the new South 216th Street bridge. Based on the height of the ground in each area, it will be 8 to 15 feet tall and will be about 700 feet long.
Noise wall 3
This noise wall replaces portions of an existing noise wall along northbound I-5 just north of the South 216th Street Bridge. Part of the existing wall needs to be removed to make room for the new South 216th Street Bridge. Based on the height of the ground in each area, it will be 8 to 20 feet tall and will be about 1150 feet long.
Noise wall 4
This wall extends an existing noise wall about 850 feet along northbound I-5 from where it currently ends to about South 208th Street. Based on the height of the ground in each area, it will be 10 to 15 feet tall.
Noise wall 5
This is a new noise wall along southbound I-5 between south 204th and South 208th streets. Based on the height of the ground in each area, it will be 10 to 15 feet tall and will be about 1,250 feet long.
Retaining Wall/Berm
This is a new wall along the new northbound SR 509 near 31st and 32nd Lane South. Based on the height of the ground in each area, it will be 5 to 15 feet tall and will be about 1,000 feet long.
These noise walls are in addition to several thousand feet of new noise wall Sound Transit and WSDOT are currently building along southbound I-5 between Veterans Drive and South 216th Street, as part of the Federal Way Link Extension light rail project.
What can you expect
Those who live along I-5 near the noise walls can expect crews working near their property as they prepare the work area (tree and shrub removal), build noise wall foundations, set the noise wall panels into place, and restore the work zone. Before construction, the project team will conduct door-to-door outreach in affected neighborhoods to provide more information about noise wall construction.
Schedule
Construction of the noise walls will occur during daylight hours between mid-2022 and late 2023
Street improvements
Because access to South 208th Street will be limited due to the new SR 99 bridge, our contractor will build a new 34th Avenue South road between South 208th Street and South 204th Street to ensure area residents have full access in and out of their neighborhood. In coordination with the City of SeaTac, our contractor will also make improvements to South 208th Street which include utility upgrades, new sidewalks, and street trees. There will be no street parking on 34th Avenue South or South 208th Street once construction is complete.
What can you expect
We will build the new 34th Avenue South prior to beginning work on South 208th Street in order to provide additional access to the Madrona Neighborhood during construction. Residents can expect parking restrictions and lane closures during construction, but access will always be provided. Before construction, the project team will conduct door-to-door outreach in the neighborhood to provide more information about street improvements construction.
Schedule
We will begin construction of 34th Avenue South in late 2022 and complete it in early 2023. 208th and 204th construction will begin in mid-2023 and be complete by the end of 2023. Construction will occur during daylight hours
Please share any questions or comments on this part of the project on our comments page.