A major transportation milestone in Pierce County has been reached as the Washington State Department of Transportation will open a new segment of State Route 167 this weekend, creating a more direct connection between Interstate 5 and the Port of Tacoma. The project represents a significant step toward improving freight mobility, supporting economic activity and strengthening supply chain reliability throughout the Puget Sound region.
The new 2-mile segment of the SR 167 Expressway will connect SR 509 and key freight corridors near the Port of Tacoma with I-5, providing a more efficient route for trucks moving cargo between marine terminals, distribution centers, and markets across Washington state and beyond. The project fills a long-standing gap in the regional transportation network and is expected to improve travel reliability while reducing congestion on local roads.
Reliable freight infrastructure is essential to keeping cargo moving through The Northwest Seaport Alliance gateway. Marine terminals depend on efficient connections to rail facilities, distribution centers, warehouses and manufacturers throughout the region. The SR 167 improvements help strengthen those connections by creating a more seamless route between the Port of Tacoma and key freight corridors serving domestic and international markets.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the milestone was held on Friday, Sept. 11, recognizing the collaboration among state, local, tribal and industry partners who helped advance the project.
The SR 167 Completion Project also delivers important resiliency benefits. Habitat restoration and stormwater improvements associated with construction are helping reduce flooding impacts in the corridor, including areas near I-5 that have historically experienced flooding during severe winter weather events. These improvements will help maintain access to the Port of Tacoma harbor and improve reliability for the trucking community during challenging weather conditions.
The first segment opening this year is part of the larger SR 167 Completion Project, which will ultimately extend the connection east to Puyallup. Once fully completed, SR 167 will provide a direct route between NWSA cargo terminals and major warehousing, manufacturing and distribution centers in Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn and Kent. These industrial centers form one of the largest manufacturing and distribution hubs in the country, making efficient transportation connections critical to regional and national supply chains.
The Port of Tacoma has been a longstanding advocate for completing SR 167. More than a decade before the creation of the NWSA, the Port helped build a coalition of public and private partners to advance the project and secure state support. To date, the Port has contributed $30 million toward completion of the corridor, reflecting its importance to cargo movement, regional competitiveness and economic growth.
When fully completed, SR 167 will create a continuous freight connection linking marine terminals, Interstate 5 and key industrial centers throughout the region. The investment will enhance cargo mobility, strengthen supply chains, support family-wage jobs and help ensure the NWSA gateway remains competitive for decades to come.