Regional Transportation Council seeks citizen input on transportation projects

The formal public comment and review period will run through Oct. 6

John Ley
For ClarkCountyToday.com

The Southwest Regional Transportation Council (RTC) is seeking citizen input on several dozen regional transportation projects for the period of 2021 to 2024. The list of projects was part of the RTC Board of Directors meeting agenda Tuesday (Sept. 1). 

The total value of the list of projects is $422 million according to a RTC news release. The document shows $211.7 million total cost, of which $87 million will come from federal funds, $85.9 million in state funds, and $38.7 million from local agencies. 

Of interest to citizens in the 70-page document (viewed here), are the following:

•  $97.7 million to reconstruct the I-5/Mill Plain interchange (start 2023).

•   $44 million Interstate Bridge replacement (engineering 2021-22).

•  $25 million addition of an auxiliary lane (each direction) to SR-14 from 164^th to I-205 (underway – construction in 2021).

•  $67.2 million to replace the I-5 bridge over the Lewis River (half federal funds, half state funds – start 2021).

•  $50.5 million to upgrade the 179^th St/I-5 interchange (fairgrounds – engineering in 2023).

•  $27.3 million to replace bridges over 179^th St. and I-5 (2023).

•  $37 million to upgrade 179^th St. at 29^th and 50^th Avenues (engineering 2021).

•  $24 million to widen SE 1^st St. between 164^th and 192^nd Avenues, up to five lanes wide, with sidewalks and bike lanes (begin 2021).

•  $25.8 million to reconstruct roadway on 99^th St. between 94^th and 117^th Avenues, adding bike lanes and sidewalks (start 2021).

•  $20.8 million to start the Mill Plain Bus Rapid Transit project.

•  $6.2 million replacing C-TRAN buses

•  $4 million to add turn lanes SR-502/SR-503 intersection (Battle Ground).

Of note in the document, was the fact that the federal government is paying half the cost of the Lewis River Bridge replacement on Interstate 5. That precedent could become an issue with local taxpayers as funding of the replacement Interstate Bridge moves forward.

The formal public comment and review period will run through Oct. 6. The RTC Board is scheduled to approve the final 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program at its Oct. 6 meeting.

Input can be submitted via the RTC public feedback form (here) or via mail to RTC, PO Box 1366, Vancouver, WA 98666-1366.