New interchange to be dedicated to Smith

SMOKEY POINT — Public officials, transportation personnel and community members will be on hand for the dedication of the Oliver “Punks” Smith overpass.

The celebration will take place Nov. 13, from 11 - 11:30 a.m., at the Medallion Hotel in Smokey Point.

Scheduled guests include WSDOT Secretary Paula Hammond, Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, Rep. Kirk Pearson and Arlington Mayor Margaret Larson.

Once complete, the new interchange will help relieve congestion at the SR 531 interchange by improving access to and from Interstate 5, said WSDOT spokeswoman Meghan Pembroke.

WSDOT added an additional on-ramp to the interchange this summer, and transportation officials said construction on the project is six months ahead of schedule.

The overpass is named after Smith, a former Arlington City Councilman who helped secure funding to widen the overpass in 2005.

“He worked really hard to get the project going,” Pembroke said. “His family will be on hand for the dedication.”

Community members are also invited to join transportation officials in a walking tour of the new interchange. Interested residents will be transported to the overpass from the hotel and back.

The Medallion Hotel is located at 16710 Smokey Point Blvd, Arlington.

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