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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013
Vol. CXXIII, No. 230
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF TACOMA Devoted to the Courts, Real Estate, Finance, Industrial Activities, and Publication of Legal Notices
Published Published Since Since 1890 1890
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Pierce County plans to study Spanaway Lake Posted online Thurs., Nov. 21 Photo Courtesy Pierce County Spanaway Lake residents, business owners and recreational users can learn about an upcoming study of the lake's health at a community meeting next month. Pierce County will use information obtained in the study to create the Spanaway Lake Management Plan next year. The plan will include results from the study, the process for identifying and implementing solutions to protect the lake and improve its health, and ways the community can get involved with the planning process. "Spanaway Lake is an important part of this community," said Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy. "It is everyone's responsibility to protect the lake so future generations can enjoy it. I look forward to seeing citizens get involved in this process that will have an impact on the community for years to come. " Public Works and Utilities' Surface Water Management division will conduct a study of the lake's health next year. Data will then be analyzed and presented to the community to identify potential solutions and how to implement them. Funding for lake protection or clean-up efforts in the future will likely be based on recommendations in the plan. Funding for the Spanaway Lake Management Plan was included in the 2013-2015 Washington State budget at the request of State Rep. David Sawyer. That funding will be provided to Pierce County to develop the plan. The meeting will be held on Weds., Dec. 4, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Spanaway Lake Elementary School, 412 165th St. S., in Spanaway. More information is available online at piercecountywa.org/SpanawayLakePlan.
WSDOT: New I-5 southbound lane could open next week
Posted online Thurs., Nov. 21 Image Courtesy Washington State Department of Transportation Weather permitting, drivers will have a new auxiliary lane on southbound Interstate 5 between Thorne Lane and Berkeley Avenue in Lakewood starting next week. The new auxiliary lane, which is expected to open at 5 a.m. on Weds., Nov. 27, increases the number of southbound I-5 lanes from three to four between the two ramps, giving drivers more room to merge on and off I-5 along that busy stretch of highway. "The southbound exit to Berkeley Avenue has a history of traffic backups that block the right southbound lane of I-5, especially during morning commutes," said Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Regional Administrator Kevin Dayton. "This new auxiliary lane gives drivers an area off mainline I-5 to wait for their turn at the signal." It is the first step in a larger improvement to alleviate the southbound backups at the exit altogether. Eventually, the City of Lakewood will add a second
NOTE TO READERS
In observance of Thanksgiving Day, the Tacoma Daily Index will not be published on Thurs., Nov. 28 and Fri., Nov. 29. Publication will resume on Mon., Dec. 2. Have a safe holiday.
left-turn lane at the ramp and widen the Freedom Bridge overpass to improve access to Madigan Hospital. "We recognize how important I-5 is to the area’s economic vitality and this is one example of improving our existing highway operations," said WSDOT Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson. "WSDOT and its regional partners are working on many projects to help reduce traffic congestion along I-5 near Joint Base Lewis-McChord." Increases in traffic congestion prompted WSDOT and local city, county, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord officials to refocus on highway improvements along the I-5 corridor. Over the past decade, populations in Thurston and Pierce counties have grown exponentially and numerous big employers have moved into the area. While populations increased, the interstate steadily approached capacity. In addition to the new auxiliary lane, WSDOT is in the process of installing new ramp meters, travel time signs and data stations, closed-circuit traffic cameras and variable-message signs along I-5 between State Routes 510 and 512 in Thurston and Pierce counties. These communication devices not only help WSDOT manage traffic, but they provide real-time traffic information to the public. Other efforts to improve highway operations are also under way. WSDOT was awarded TIGER Grant funding to complete the project.