I-5 - Chehalis River Basin Flood Reduction

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending March 2008

Project Title & Location
I-5/Chehalis River Flood Control

Project Description
This project is a partnership with Lewis County to reduce flood impacts to I-5 and the Chehalis River Basin.

Contractor/Consultant
Project not yet advertised or awarded.

Recent Progress

This project was originally a partnership with Lewis County, the Cities of Centralia and Chehalis, and the Army Corps of Engineers, to design and construct a comprehensive flood control project for the Chehalis River basin.
Over the past year or two, the Cities of Centralia and Chehalis have determined the project does not address enough of their needs and is not worthwhile to move forward.
At the direction of local agencies, the legislature changed the project to focus on addressing flood control by partnering with Lewis County on raising and widening Airport Way, a frontage road on the west side of I-5.  This project would provide local access to the region hospital during major floods and could also be the first of multiple levies to protect I-5.  Presently, the two Cities, Lewis County, and the State are in discussion about the value of this project and the needs of the greater community.  The project is on hold until agreement is reached.

Design Construction Impacts
December 2007 flooding has re-opened discussions about flood control concepts.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
 

Impacts to Traffic
None at this time.

Project Milestones Scheduled Attained Milestone Outlook
Preliminary Engineering November 2003 November 2003 Began on time.
Environmental Documentation Complete October 2006  
Right of Way Complete  
Ad Date April 2009  
Project Cost Summary: Dollars in
millions 		Percent
of Total

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)
Project Expenditure Chart

Preliminary Engineering $2.2 46.8%
Right-of-Way    
Construction $2.5 53.1%
Funded Project Costs $4.7 100%

Nickel funds included in above costs

 $4.7 100%

2005 Transportation Partnership Account

  For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects

Colin Newell, WSDOT Area Engineer, at (360) 740-8600, or e-mail: swChehalis@wsdot.wa.gov.