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Interstate 405 (Washington)
Encyclopedia
Interstate 405 in Washington is a 30 miles (48.3 km) stretch of freeway that bypasses Seattle east of Lake Washington
. The northern terminus is in Lynnwood
and the southern terminus is in Tukwila
. The highway runs through what has since become the "Eastside
" technology center of Bellevue
and Kirkland
, making it an often congested commuter path. I-405 is known for its meandering "S-curves" through Renton
. It intersects with Interstate 90 and a number of major state routes. Interstate 405 was laid over Secondary State Highway 2A.
and almost immediately after the change to I-405, a High-occupancy vehicle lane
begins, and continues to almost the end of the highway. The freeway continues on an easterly path, passing the newly renovated Westfield Southcenter
shopping mall and crossing the Green River
before approaching an interchange with SR 181
. After the exit, the former Longacres race track, now owned by Boeing
, and new Sounder commuter rail
station for Tukwila is passed, and I-405 starts to head north-east towards a cloverleaf interchange
with SR 167 and Rainier Avenue, which is the first exit in Renton
. After the interchange with SR 167, the freeway, after a series of infamous s-curves, which become a traffic bottleneck during rush hour, turns to a northerly direction and intersects SR 169
and one direction of SR 900. A hybrid diamond interchange
/partial cloverleaf interchange serves the other direction of SR 900 and the Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park and a new development called The Landing.
Climbing Kennydale Hill, I-405 intersects N 30th St and Kennewick Place NW, which serves north Renton, and Kennydale
, before quickly descending to another hybrid diamond/partial cloverleaf interchange with NE 44th Street, which provides access to Newcastle
. I-405 now closely follows Lake Washington, and enters a wooded section until an interchange with Lake Washington Boulevard and 112th Ave SE which serves both a park and ride
station and the community of Newport Hills. The final interchange before I-90 is a diamond interchange serving Coal Creek Parkway.
Factoria Mall is east of I-405 as it approaches a full stack interchange
with Interstate 90 which provides access to Seattle
, Mercer Island
, as well as the Eastgate neighborhood of Bellevue
and Issaquah
. Mercer Slough is west of I-405 as it heads towards downtown Bellevue. A 2008 construction project demolished the Wilburton Tunnel which formerly covered a portion of the freeway between Factoria and Bellevue.
The historic Wilburton Trestle
passes I-405 as a diamond interchange with SE 8th Street connects the freeway to South Bellevue and the Lake Hills area. In quick succession is a short diamond interchange with NE 4th Street, a full cloverleaf with NE 8th Street, serving downtown Bellevue and the Overlake Medical Center, and an HOV only left exit to the Bellevue Transit Center and NE 6th Street. SR 520 which provides access to Medina
and Redmond
, home of the Microsoft Corporation is the next interchange, with a half cloverleaf interchange with several fly-over ramps to allow complete access to and from SR 520.
Bridle Trails State Park
borders the freeway on the east side, while Watershed Park and Northwest University are on the western side of the freeway as it approaches NE 70th Place, serving Houghton
and Snyders Corner before approaching a full cloverleaf with former SR 908 serving Kirkland
. An incomplete interchange with NE 116th Street comes before I-405 connects to Totem Lake via an interchange with NE 124th Street and an HOV only left exit to the Evergreen Hospital and NE 128th Street. NE 160th Street is the next interchange before I-405 crosses over the Sammamish River
and connects to SR 522 which provides access to downtown Bothell
and Woodinville
. An interchange with NE 195th Street provides access to the local business park and the University of Washington
Bothell branch.
Entering Snohomish County
at mile post 25, I-405 enters a wooded area before coming to an interchange with the Bothell-Everett Highway (SR 527), which is the final interchange before I-405 terminates at an interchange between Interstate 5 and SR 525.
As of 2007, the most heavily traveled section of I-405 is near SE 8th Street in downtown Bellevue, with an daily average of 200,000 cars per day traveling through this segment. This number was slightly lower in 1997, with 190,000 cars per day, but has dramatically increased since the first measurement in 1967, with 32,600 cars per day traveling through Bellevue.
SR 405. The first segment of the interstate to open was between Renton and Tukwilla on September 3, 1965. By 1971, SR 405 was renumbered to Interstate 405 after it was completely improved to Interstate Highway standards.
One of the major construction projects on the highway was straightening the s-curves in Renton. This project began in 1990, and was estimated to cost $70 million. Also during this time the portion of the highway between I-5 and South Renton was being repaved and HOV lanes were being added.
through Seattle, I-405 has experienced a large increase in traffic volume since its construction. I-405 is now the most congested freeway in Washington State, particularly the segment between State Route 169
and I-90.
Currently underway is the Nickel Project
, which in 2003 originally included three planned improvements for I-405:
In 2005, the "Renton to Bellevue Project" was added as part of the Nickel Project, and would have added two lanes in each direction between SR 169 and I-90. However, in November 2007, voters rejected the ballot measure which would have provided the additional funds necessary for this project. At this time the project is still largely unfunded. The web site "Road to Ruin" ranks the widening of I-405 as the fourth most wasteful highway project in the United States. The project is designed to help traffic move smoother on I-405.
Lake Washington
Lake Washington is a large freshwater lake adjacent to the city of Seattle. It is the largest lake in King County and the second largest in the state of Washington, after Lake Chelan. It is bordered by the cities of Seattle on the west, Bellevue and Kirkland on the east, Renton on the south and...
. The northern terminus is in Lynnwood
Lynnwood, Washington
Lynnwood is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. The population was 35,836 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest in Snohomish County and twenty-ninth largest in Washington State. The city is a mix of urban, suburban, small city, crossroads and bedroom community to many...
and the southern terminus is in Tukwila
Tukwila, Washington
Tukwila is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The northern edge of Tukwila borders the city of Seattle. The population was 19,107 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. The highway runs through what has since become the "Eastside
Eastside (King County, Washington)
File:Seattle-lakewashington-lakesammamish.PNG|250px|right|The Eastside is to the right of Seattle.# rough city boundariespoly 137 256 148 256 158 194 172 179 172 237 212 266 133 266Renton...
" technology center of Bellevue
Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue is a city in the Eastside region of King County, Washington, United States, across Lake Washington from Seattle. Long known as a suburb or satellite city of Seattle, it is now categorized as an edge city or a boomburb. The population was 122,363 at the 2010 census.Downtown Bellevue is...
and Kirkland
Kirkland, Washington
Kirkland is a city in King County, Washington, United States. It is a suburb of Seattle on the Eastside . The population was 48,787 at the 2010 census makes it the 9th largest city in King County and the 20th largest city in the state...
, making it an often congested commuter path. I-405 is known for its meandering "S-curves" through Renton
Renton, Washington
Renton is an Eastside edge city in King County, Washington, United States. Situated 11 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington, Renton straddles the southeast shore of Lake Washington. Founded in the 1860s, Renton became a supply town for the Newcastle coal fields...
. It intersects with Interstate 90 and a number of major state routes. Interstate 405 was laid over Secondary State Highway 2A.
Route description
I-405 begins as a continuation of Washington State Route 518 (SR 518) at the junction with Interstate 5 in TukwilaTukwila, Washington
Tukwila is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The northern edge of Tukwila borders the city of Seattle. The population was 19,107 at the 2010 census.-History:...
and almost immediately after the change to I-405, a High-occupancy vehicle lane
High-occupancy vehicle lane
In transportation engineering and transportation planning, a high-occupancy vehicle lane is a lane reserved for vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers...
begins, and continues to almost the end of the highway. The freeway continues on an easterly path, passing the newly renovated Westfield Southcenter
Westfield Southcenter
Westfield Southcenter, formerly known as Southcenter Mall, is a shopping mall located in Tukwila, Washington, USA. It is currently anchored by JC Penney, Macy's, Nordstrom, and Sears and owned by the Westfield Group. A Rainforest Cafe is also at the mall...
shopping mall and crossing the Green River
Green River (Washington)
The Green River is a long river in the state of Washington in the United States, arising on the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains south of I-90....
before approaching an interchange with SR 181
Washington State Route 181
State Route 181 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Washington. It is long, and runs from State Route 516 in Kent in the south to Interstate 405 in Tukwila in the north...
. After the exit, the former Longacres race track, now owned by Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
, and new Sounder commuter rail
Sounder Commuter Rail
Sounder commuter rail is a regional rail service operated by BNSF on behalf of Sound Transit. Service operates Monday through Friday during peak hours from Seattle, Washington, north to Everett and south to Tacoma. As of 2011, schedules serve the traditional peak commutes, with most trains running...
station for Tukwila is passed, and I-405 starts to head north-east towards a cloverleaf interchange
Cloverleaf interchange
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns, reverse direction in left-driving regions, are handled by ramp roads...
with SR 167 and Rainier Avenue, which is the first exit in Renton
Renton, Washington
Renton is an Eastside edge city in King County, Washington, United States. Situated 11 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington, Renton straddles the southeast shore of Lake Washington. Founded in the 1860s, Renton became a supply town for the Newcastle coal fields...
. After the interchange with SR 167, the freeway, after a series of infamous s-curves, which become a traffic bottleneck during rush hour, turns to a northerly direction and intersects SR 169
Washington State Route 169
State Route 169 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Washington, running from SR 900 and I-405 in Renton through Maple Valley and Black Diamond to SR 164 in Enumclaw.- Route description :...
and one direction of SR 900. A hybrid diamond interchange
Diamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road. The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge...
/partial cloverleaf interchange serves the other direction of SR 900 and the Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park and a new development called The Landing.
Climbing Kennydale Hill, I-405 intersects N 30th St and Kennewick Place NW, which serves north Renton, and Kennydale
Kennydale, Washington
Kennydale is a neighborhood in Renton, Washington, in the United States. As of 2008, it had an estimated population of 4,840. It lies along the southeastern shore of Lake Washington and straddles Interstate 405 which runs north-south between Renton and Bellevue, and borders the Newport Shores...
, before quickly descending to another hybrid diamond/partial cloverleaf interchange with NE 44th Street, which provides access to Newcastle
Newcastle, Washington
Newcastle is an Eastside city in King County, Washington, United States. Its population was 10,380 at the 2010 census.Although Newcastle was not incorporated until 1994, it has been an important settlement and town since the late 19th century and played a major role in the development of Seattle...
. I-405 now closely follows Lake Washington, and enters a wooded section until an interchange with Lake Washington Boulevard and 112th Ave SE which serves both a park and ride
Park and ride
Park and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip...
station and the community of Newport Hills. The final interchange before I-90 is a diamond interchange serving Coal Creek Parkway.
Stack interchange
A stack interchange is a free-flowing grade separated junction between two roads.In countries where one drives on the right, left turns are handled by semi-directional flyover/under ramps...
with Interstate 90 which provides access to Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, Mercer Island
Mercer Island, Washington
Mercer Island is a city in King County, Washington, United States and the name of the island in Lake Washington on which the city sits. The population was 22,699 at the 2010 census....
, as well as the Eastgate neighborhood of Bellevue
Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue is a city in the Eastside region of King County, Washington, United States, across Lake Washington from Seattle. Long known as a suburb or satellite city of Seattle, it is now categorized as an edge city or a boomburb. The population was 122,363 at the 2010 census.Downtown Bellevue is...
and Issaquah
Issaquah, Washington
Issaquah is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 30,434 at the 2010 census.Based on per capita income, Issaquah ranks 25th of 522 areas in the State of Washington to be ranked....
. Mercer Slough is west of I-405 as it heads towards downtown Bellevue. A 2008 construction project demolished the Wilburton Tunnel which formerly covered a portion of the freeway between Factoria and Bellevue.
The historic Wilburton Trestle
Wilburton Trestle
The Wilburton Trestle is a historic wooden railway trestle in Bellevue, Washington. Measuring 102 feet high and 975 feet long , it is the longest wooden trestle in the Pacific Northwest....
passes I-405 as a diamond interchange with SE 8th Street connects the freeway to South Bellevue and the Lake Hills area. In quick succession is a short diamond interchange with NE 4th Street, a full cloverleaf with NE 8th Street, serving downtown Bellevue and the Overlake Medical Center, and an HOV only left exit to the Bellevue Transit Center and NE 6th Street. SR 520 which provides access to Medina
Medina, Washington
Medina is a city located in the Eastside, a region of King County, Washington, United States. Surrounded on the north, west, and south by Lake Washington, opposite Seattle, Medina is bordered by Clyde Hill and Hunts Point, as well as the satellite city of Bellevue. The city's population was 2,969...
and Redmond
Redmond, Washington
Redmond is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located east of Seattle. The population was 54,144 at the 2010 census,up from 45,256 in 2000....
, home of the Microsoft Corporation is the next interchange, with a half cloverleaf interchange with several fly-over ramps to allow complete access to and from SR 520.
Bridle Trails State Park
Bridle Trails State Park
Bridle Trails State Park is a 482 acre park in the Washington State Park System. It borders the Eastside cities of Kirkland, Bellevue and Redmond, Washington. It has a popular trail system used for horseback riding. There is also an outdoor arena for equestrian shows.- External links :* *...
borders the freeway on the east side, while Watershed Park and Northwest University are on the western side of the freeway as it approaches NE 70th Place, serving Houghton
Houghton, Washington
Houghton is one of the lakeside neighborhoods of the city of Kirkland, Washington. Consisting mostly of upscale, single-family homes, Houghton overlooks Lake Washington and is one of the wealthier districts of the Eastside suburbs of Seattle. The village was named for Willard Houghton, a local...
and Snyders Corner before approaching a full cloverleaf with former SR 908 serving Kirkland
Kirkland, Washington
Kirkland is a city in King County, Washington, United States. It is a suburb of Seattle on the Eastside . The population was 48,787 at the 2010 census makes it the 9th largest city in King County and the 20th largest city in the state...
. An incomplete interchange with NE 116th Street comes before I-405 connects to Totem Lake via an interchange with NE 124th Street and an HOV only left exit to the Evergreen Hospital and NE 128th Street. NE 160th Street is the next interchange before I-405 crosses over the Sammamish River
Sammamish River
The Sammamish River flows through north King County, Washington for about , draining Lake Sammamish into Lake Washington...
and connects to SR 522 which provides access to downtown Bothell
Bothell, Washington
Bothell is a city located in King and Snohomish Counties in the state of Washington. It is part of the Seattle metropolitan area. The population was 33,505 as of the 2010 census...
and Woodinville
Woodinville, Washington
Woodinville is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 10,938 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Seattle metropolitan area. There is also a much larger population with Woodinville mailing addresses in adjacent unincorporated areas of King and Snohomish counties...
. An interchange with NE 195th Street provides access to the local business park and the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
Bothell branch.
Snohomish County, Washington
Snohomish County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named after the Snohomish tribe. Since 2000, the county's population has grown from 606,024 to 713,335 residents , making it one of the fastest-growing in the state, ranking third in overall population after King and...
at mile post 25, I-405 enters a wooded area before coming to an interchange with the Bothell-Everett Highway (SR 527), which is the final interchange before I-405 terminates at an interchange between Interstate 5 and SR 525.
As of 2007, the most heavily traveled section of I-405 is near SE 8th Street in downtown Bellevue, with an daily average of 200,000 cars per day traveling through this segment. This number was slightly lower in 1997, with 190,000 cars per day, but has dramatically increased since the first measurement in 1967, with 32,600 cars per day traveling through Bellevue.
History
The first road connecting most of the eastside communities, Secondary State Highway 2A (SSH 2A), was already in existence since at least 1927. SSH 2A connected US 10 and US 410 in Renton to the north, through Kirkland and Bothell, connecting back to US 99 in Everett. In 1964, the system of Primary and Secondary state highways was removed in favor of signed routes, and PSH 2A was renumbered1964 state highway renumbering (Washington)
In 1963, a law was passed authorizing a new numbering for sign routes. In 1970 the legislative definitions were changed to use the sign route numbers but renamed state routes...
SR 405. The first segment of the interstate to open was between Renton and Tukwilla on September 3, 1965. By 1971, SR 405 was renumbered to Interstate 405 after it was completely improved to Interstate Highway standards.
One of the major construction projects on the highway was straightening the s-curves in Renton. This project began in 1990, and was estimated to cost $70 million. Also during this time the portion of the highway between I-5 and South Renton was being repaved and HOV lanes were being added.
Future
Originally intended as a bypass to I-5Interstate 5 in Washington
Interstate 5 in Washington is a highway in the U.S. state of Washington that extends from its border with Oregon to its border with Canada...
through Seattle, I-405 has experienced a large increase in traffic volume since its construction. I-405 is now the most congested freeway in Washington State, particularly the segment between State Route 169
Washington State Route 169
State Route 169 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Washington, running from SR 900 and I-405 in Renton through Maple Valley and Black Diamond to SR 164 in Enumclaw.- Route description :...
and I-90.
Currently underway is the Nickel Project
Nickel Project
The Nickel Project is a nickname for a transportation funding package enacted by the 2003 Washington State Legislature. The slogan for the package is "It’s your Nickel, Watch it Work."The $3.9 billion program is funded by the following:...
, which in 2003 originally included three planned improvements for I-405:
- The construction of one lane in each direction between SE 8th and I-90, replacing the Wilburton Tunnel.
- The construction of one northbound lane from NE 70th to NE 124th, and one southbound lane from SR 522 to SR 520.
- The construction of one northbound lane from SR 181Washington State Route 181State Route 181 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Washington. It is long, and runs from State Route 516 in Kent in the south to Interstate 405 in Tukwila in the north...
to SR 167, and one southbound lane from SR 169Washington State Route 169State Route 169 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Washington, running from SR 900 and I-405 in Renton through Maple Valley and Black Diamond to SR 164 in Enumclaw.- Route description :...
to SR 167.
In 2005, the "Renton to Bellevue Project" was added as part of the Nickel Project, and would have added two lanes in each direction between SR 169 and I-90. However, in November 2007, voters rejected the ballot measure which would have provided the additional funds necessary for this project. At this time the project is still largely unfunded. The web site "Road to Ruin" ranks the widening of I-405 as the fourth most wasteful highway project in the United States. The project is designed to help traffic move smoother on I-405.
Exit list
| County | Location | Mile | # Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King King County, Washington King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2010 census was 1,931,249. King is the most populous county in Washington, and the 14th most populous in the United States.... |
Tukwila Tukwila, Washington Tukwila is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The northern edge of Tukwila borders the city of Seattle. The population was 19,107 at the 2010 census.-History:... |
0.00 | Continuation beyond I-5 | ||
| 0.00 | , Portland | Southbound exit and northbound entrance | |||
| 0.34 | Southcenter Boulevard – Southcenter Mall | Southbound exit and northbound entrance | |||
| 0.96 | 1 | ||||
| Renton Renton, Washington Renton is an Eastside edge city in King County, Washington, United States. Situated 11 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington, Renton straddles the southeast shore of Lake Washington. Founded in the 1860s, Renton became a supply town for the Newcastle coal fields... |
2.30 | 2 | Signed as exits 2A (south) and 2B (north) southbound | ||
| 2.96 | 3 | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance | |||
| 3.99- 4.47 |
4 | South end of SR 900 overlap | |||
| 5.37 | 5 | North end of SR 900 overlap | |||
| 6.48 | 6 | Northeast 30th Street | |||
| 7.44 | 7 | Northeast 44th Street | |||
| Bellevue Bellevue, Washington Bellevue is a city in the Eastside region of King County, Washington, United States, across Lake Washington from Seattle. Long known as a suburb or satellite city of Seattle, it is now categorized as an edge city or a boomburb. The population was 122,363 at the 2010 census.Downtown Bellevue is... |
9.23 | 9 | 112th Avenue Southeast – Newcastle Newcastle, Washington Newcastle is an Eastside city in King County, Washington, United States. Its population was 10,380 at the 2010 census.Although Newcastle was not incorporated until 1994, it has been an important settlement and town since the late 19th century and played a major role in the development of Seattle... |
||
| 10.15 | 10 | Coal Creek Parkway – Factoria Factoria, Bellevue, Washington Factoria is a mixed-use urban neighborhood in south Bellevue, Washington and is one of the city's significant commercial districts. Originally timberland from the 1890s to 1920s and later envisioned as an industrial center, Factoria has since the 1960s evolved into commercial and residential... |
|||
| 11.02 | 11 | ||||
| 12.76 | 12 | Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue Northeast | |||
| 13.54 | 13A | Northeast 4th Street | |||
| 13.68 | ◊ | Northeast 6th Street | HOV High-occupancy vehicle lane In transportation engineering and transportation planning, a high-occupancy vehicle lane is a lane reserved for vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers... access only |
||
| 13.81 | 13B | Northeast 8th Street | |||
| 14.82 | 14 | ||||
| Kirkland Kirkland, Washington Kirkland is a city in King County, Washington, United States. It is a suburb of Seattle on the Eastside . The population was 48,787 at the 2010 census makes it the 9th largest city in King County and the 20th largest city in the state... |
17.43 | 17 | Northeast 70th Place | ||
| 18.08 | 18 | NE 85th Street — Redmond Redmond, Washington Redmond is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located east of Seattle. The population was 54,144 at the 2010 census,up from 45,256 in 2000.... , Kirkland Kirkland, Washington Kirkland is a city in King County, Washington, United States. It is a suburb of Seattle on the Eastside . The population was 48,787 at the 2010 census makes it the 9th largest city in King County and the 20th largest city in the state... |
|||
| 19.82 | 20A | NE 116th Street | Northbound exit and southbound entrance | ||
| 20.30 | 20B | Northeast 124th Street | Signed as exit 20 southbound | ||
| 20.6 | ◊ | Northeast 128th Street | HOV High-occupancy vehicle lane In transportation engineering and transportation planning, a high-occupancy vehicle lane is a lane reserved for vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers... access only |
||
| 22.61 | 22 | Northeast 160th Street | |||
| Bothell Bothell, Washington Bothell is a city located in King and Snohomish Counties in the state of Washington. It is part of the Seattle metropolitan area. The population was 33,505 as of the 2010 census... |
23.52 | 23 | , Wenatchee | Signed as exits 23A (east) and 23B (west) southbound | |
| 24.46 | 24 | Northeast 195th Street, Beardslee Boulevard | |||
| Snohomish Snohomish County, Washington Snohomish County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named after the Snohomish tribe. Since 2000, the county's population has grown from 606,024 to 713,335 residents , making it one of the fastest-growing in the state, ranking third in overall population after King and... |
26.73 | 26 | |||
| 30.30 | , Vancouver, BC | Northbound exit and southbound entrance | |||
| 30.30 | Continuation beyond I-5 |