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Atkinson, WSDOT brief DuPont council on Exit 119 project; new ramps and bridges open, April ramp opening targeted
Summary
Atkinson Construction and WSDOT told the DuPont City Council the Exit 119 project has opened three bridges and is on track to open a new southbound on‑ramp in April, with substantial completion targeted by the end of September. Officials warned of temporary traffic impacts and planned weekend closures for tie‑ins and bridge demolition.
Atkinson Construction and the Washington State Department of Transportation presented an update on the Exit 119 project to the DuPont City Council, saying three new bridges have opened and major traffic shifts and tie‑ins will continue through the summer.
The presentation, led by Andy Barnes of Atkinson Construction and Casey Fraser, WSDOT project manager, described work between 41st Street and Mounds Road and said the project’s central work at the Barksdale/DuPont intersection will continue for another 8 to 10 months. "All three of those opened up on Saturday," Barnes said of recently completed bridges, and Fraser added the double‑diamond interchange (DDI) elements are working smoothly despite public unfamiliarity.
Council and staff asked for details about traffic impacts and timelines. Presenters said the new southbound on‑ramp is targeted to open in April; once that ramp opens they will prepare to demo the existing DuPont bridge and widen the northbound approach. "That ramp will go live here in the April time frame right now," Barnes said. The team said demolition of the existing bridge and final alignment work are weather‑dependent and could require extended night and weekend lane closures, with the project moving into its final configuration by August and substantial completion targeted for late September.
The contractors described detour plans for the bridge demolition that keep northbound and southbound traffic moving using "up‑and‑over" routing during closures and said they are coordinating with JBLM and Sound Transit on gate and railroad access. They also acknowledged local disruption, noting noise and driver confusion immediately after openings and that some traffic patterns remain in a temporary configuration until median and shoulder work are completed.
Fraser and Barnes urged residents to use posted signage and the project website (a QR code was shown during the presentation) for updates and contact information. Council members asked staff to notify the school district early if construction will carry into the school year, and to coordinate temporary crossing or safety personnel if necessary.
The council did not take formal action on the presentation; staff said bids and construction sequencing for related Center Drive work will come before the council separately.
