Port of Tacoma completes stimulus-funded Tacoma Tideflats overpass

The first vehicles traveled this week over the Lincoln Avenue overpass, the final piece of a years-in-the-making transportation project to move cargo and commuters more efficiently in and out of the Tacoma Tideflats.

The Port of Tacoma had completed supporting surface streets and relocated utilities over the years for the $50 million project, but the unfunded overpass was the final piece needed to carry trucks and other vehicles over busy rail lines serving the Port’s two main rail yards.

Construction of the overpass became possible in March 2009, when the Port received $15.4 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

The $22 million, 2,200-foot overpass adds three lanes of roadway over four sets of railroad tracks. See photos of the overpass take shape.

The FAST Corridor project has received funding since 2003 from several state and federal sources. The Port paid about $14.2 million of the total.

Building the overpass employed more than 200 people during peak construction, and economists estimate the entire corridor could contribute another 1,500 permanent jobs through efficiency and additional capacity.

More work coming
While the Lincoln Avenue overpass is open, repairs to the bridge over the river will prompt more detours for another six months.

Tacoma Public Works delayed repairs to the Lincoln Avenue Bridge until the overpass was complete so access to local businesses would remain open. This repair work will close the bridge for about six months, depending on weather.

During the bridge closure, a temporary heavy haul route will detour trucks around the construction. Check the City of Tacoma website for updated bridge construction information and related detours.

About the Port of Tacoma
The Port of Tacoma is an economic engine for South Puget Sound, with more than 43,000 family-wage jobs in Pierce County and 113,000 jobs across Washington state connected to Port activities. A major gateway to Asia and Alaska, the Port of Tacoma is among the largest container ports in North America. The Port is also a major center for bulk, breakbulk and project/heavy-lift cargoes, as well as automobiles and trucks.