County to build key transportation improvements in 2012

January 5, 2012

Contact: Bill Wright, P.E., Transportation Programming Manager, Public Works

(360) 397-6118 ext. 4523; Bill [email protected]

 

Vancouver, WA – Despite the ongoing economic slump, Clark County will continue to make strategic investments in the county’s transportation infrastructure this year.

The county’s transportation program is a partnership. In 2012, every county dollar spent on transportation will be matched by nearly 80 cents in state and federal grants and loans.

One of the biggest projects headed for a 2012 construction start is widening and improving Northeast 88 Street, from Highway 99 east to St. Johns Road. The project is expected to cost $11.7 million for construction, design and property acquisition.

In summer 2012, the county will replace Cougar Creek Bridge on NE Washougal River Road, one of the last remaining wood bridges owned and maintained by the county. The overall project is expected to cost $1.08 million for design and construction, with a federal grant providing 80 percent of funding.

Also scheduled to start this year is the final phase of the $133 million Salmon Creek Interchange project. The project, a partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation, is the largest roadway project the county has built since Padden Parkway.

Clark County completed major construction on its part of the joint project last year, but the state’s portion is projected to continue until 2014.

Clark County also will continue working to get better performance from existing infrastructure. The Traffic Signal Optimization Program uses technology to improve traffic flow, increase roadway capacity and make signal adjustments. In 2012, the county expects to complete traffic signal upgrades on Northeast Padden Parkway and Northeast Andresen Road and along Northeast 99 Street on both sides of Interstate 5.

In addition, the county will preserve roads. The 2012-17 Transportation Improvement Program, which the Board of County Commissioners approved last month, calls for spending $52.1 million on overlays, surface seals and other measures during the next six years.

“For every $1 spent preserving a road today, we avoid spending up to $15 to rebuild a road tomorrow,” said Bill Wright, Public Works transportation programming manager.

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