OLYMPIA – Major improvements to where Interstate 5 and State Routes 161 and 18 connect in Federal Way got a nod today in the state Senate transportation budget.

Sen. Tracey J. Eide, D-Federal Way, says continued work on the area known as the Federal Way Triangle will help reduce bottlenecks and wrecks caused by merging traffic.

“The interchange was designed in the 60’s, when there were 75 percent fewer cars on the road. We’ve seen a lot of accidents and a lot of backups here, so it’s a safety project just as much as it is congestion relief. ” Eide said.

Eide said that congestion relief is a priority. “There aren’t many things that have larger impacts on our economy in South King County than traffic backups, this work will be a major improvement,” she said, “we’ve worked hard to make sure this is funded.”

Funded primarily with gas taxes that are legally mandated to pay for roads, the project is slated for construction starting in 2010, and will be completed in phases.