Through a series of projects, more than $50 million will be invested to improve the east-west corridor
VANCOUVER — As one contractor finishes improving one section of Northeast 119th Street, a different contractor is starting to upgrade another section.
McDonald Excavating Inc., a Washougal-based contractor, is completing a two-year project to improve Northeast 119th Street, from Northeast 50th Avenue to Northeast 72nd Avenue.
Rotschy Inc., a Vancouver-based contractor, is in the early stages of a two-year project to improve Northeast 119th Street, from east of Northeast 87th Avenue to Northeast 112th Avenue.
Both projects are part of Clark County’s multiyear effort to upgrade Northeast 119th Street. Through a series of projects, more than $50 million will be invested to improve the east-west corridor, from a narrow two-lane road with no sidewalks or bicycle lanes to a modern arterial that meets the needs of a growing community.
Upcoming construction on Northeast 119th Street, from Northeast 87th Avenue to Northeast 112th Avenue, will widen and improve the current road to a four-lane minor arterial with two lanes in each direction, a center turn lane, bicycle lanes, sidewalks and facilities to collect and treat polluted storm runoff.
Construction also will include upgrades to Clark Public Utilities’ water lines and Clark Regional Wastewater District’s sewer lines, as well as improvements to the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad crossing west of Northeast 102nd Avenue.
For the safety of construction workers and drivers, the speed limit in the construction zone will be reduced to 25 mph. Fines are doubled for speeding and other infractions in the construction zone.
Rotschy will be permitted to close a short section of Northeast 119th Street, from east of Northeast 99th Avenue to west of Northeast 102nd Avenue, for up to 14 days. Access will be maintained for residents in the immediate area during the closure, but through traffic will need to use an alternate route. Drivers needing to reach Northeast 99th Avenue will need to approach from the west, and drivers needing to reach Northeast 102nd Avenue will need to approach from the east.
Clark County awarded an $11.18 million contract to Rotschy for this project. The county has been awarded two grants to help pay for construction: a $4 million state Urban Arterial Program grant through the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board; and $3.1 million federal Surface Transportation Program grant through the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council.
More information on Northeast 119th Street improvements is available on the county’s website: www.clark.wa.gov/public-works/ne-119th-street.
