Date:
Monday, October 01, 2007
Contact:
Lisa Murdock, WSDOT Communications, (360) 357-2789
Steve Fuchs, Project Manager, (360) 709-8100
TACOMA – A proposed final segment of State Route (SR) 167, completing the highway that connects Renton to Tacoma, will clear a critical hurdle tomorrow when the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) signs the Record of Decision (ROD) for the SR 167 Extension Project.
This federal approval completes the environmental documentation process and allows WSDOT to move forward with advanced engineering and design work on the project. The decision includes the preferred design options for each interchange and describes why each option was selected. It also describes actions WSDOT will take to minimize or avoid adverse environmental effects.
"This is a big step," said WSDOT Olympic Region Administrator Kevin Dayton. “It is a major piece of the highway system that needs to be completed. It will ease the congestion we see today and will aid in the moving of freight.”
When completed, the extension will replace the existing arterial route that follows River Road with six miles of new freeway north of the Puyallup River. This will complete the existing SR 167 from SR 161 in Puyallup to Interstate 5 in Fife, with a connection to SR 509 near the Port of Tacoma. The new freeway, with carpool/transit lanes, park-and-ride lots and weigh stations, will provide a critical missing link in the state’s highway network.
WSDOT is also looking at ways to improve the natural environment surrounding the new freeway. In addition to managing stormwater runoff and preventing water pollution, WSDOT is designing the project’s environmental components to improve local streams, natural wetlands and wildlife habitat.
This project is currently funded for 30 percent of right of way and 15 percent engineering through the following sources:
• 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $70 million
• 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) - $63,300,605
• Existing Funds - $6,434,214
• Other Agency Funds - $20,150,722
SAFETEA-LU ($8,075,000), Port of Tacoma ($364,791), City of Fife ($20,000), City of Tacoma ($45,000), Pierce County ($55,000), Puget Sound Regional Council ($1.8 million), Non-Demonstration Grant ($7,569,973), High Priority Demonstration ($2,220,957)
• Total Funding Available From All Sources - $159,885,540
Total Unfunded Amount - $2.01 billion
When construction funding is secured the project will be built in stages as money becomes available.
For more information on the SR 167 Extension project, visit the project website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR167/TacomaToEdgewood/.
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