This long-awaited city of Vancouver project is designed to enhance safety, reduce delays and shorten travel times
VANCOUVER — Construction is expected to get underway in early March along Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard, from Southeast 102nd Avenue to Chkalov Drive.
This long-awaited city of Vancouver project is designed to enhance safety, reduce delays and shorten travel times along this busy commuting corridor by improving access to the Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard and Interstate 205 interchange.
The city has contracted with Rotschy Inc. of Vancouver, the lowest responsive bidder, for project construction. The work will remove the traffic light at Southeast 105th Avenue, instead rerouting travelers from the south through the Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard/Southeast 104th Avenue intersection.
Other improvements include enhancing pedestrian access, improving stormwater facilities, and adding/upgrading street lights at the Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard/I-205 interchange. Much-needed resurfacing of Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard between Southeast 104th Avenue and Southeast Chkalov Drive will complete the project.
What Travelers Should Know
In early March, work is expected to start along Southeast 104th Avenue and Southeast 2nd Street, south of Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. In April, construction is currently anticipated to move to Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard, between Southeast 102nd Avenue and Southeast Chkalov Drive.
To lessen travel impacts, work along Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard will primarily occur at night. Mill Plain Boulevard will remain open during construction, though drivers should be alert to reduced travel lanes and plan ahead for nighttime delays. Where necessary, pedestrians may experience closed crosswalks and temporary detours at times during construction.
For everyone’s safety, all travelers should pay attention through the work zone, and follow signs, flaggers and temporary traffic changes.
Project Benefits
The intersection of Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard and I-205 is one of the heaviest traveled in Vancouver. Current conditions and traffic volumes frequently cause significant backups on Mill Plain Boulevard, aggravated by the two closely placed traffic signals at Southeast 104th Avenue and Southeast 105th Avenue.
Removing the Southeast 105th Avenue signal is expected to improve safety and traffic flow by reducing conflicts between vehicles turning across the intersection and by lengthening the approach for travelers wanting to head onto north or south I-205.
Funding
Total cost of this project, including design, permitting, right-of-way acquisition, construction and inspection, is estimated at $10.1 million. The $10.1 million is funded through grants and local matching dollars, and when completed will utilize $4.2 million federal grant dollars, including a $2 million in federal Surface Transportation grant provided through the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC).
More information about the project is available at www.cityofvancouver.us/millplain-104.
Information provided by city of Vancouver.
