I-5 - Reconstruct Interchange at NE 134th

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Related project in this area:
I-5 Widening - Salmon Creek to I-205

Overview
The Salmon Creek Interchange Project will reduce traffic congestion and improve safety in the fast growing Salmon Creek area by constructing a new I-5 interchange at NE 139th Street, improving the I-205 northbound off-ramp to NE 134th Street, and constructing other local road improvements.

Why is WSDOT collaborating with Clark County on this project?
The population in Salmon Creek has increased significantly with housing, retail, office space, a hospital, and a college campus replacing what used to be farms and open space. Today, NE 134th Street is used by all local east-west traffic across I-5 and I-205, and provides access to both freeways from the Salmon Creek area. The close proximity of traffic signals on NE 134th Street and high traffic volumes in the area create gridlock, long delays, traffic back-ups, and a high rate of automobile accidents.The Salmon Creek Interchange Project will help address these problems.


Our Partners
The project is a joint effort between WSDOT and the Clark County Public Works Department.

The End Result

• Construct a new interchange and bridge crossing at I-5 and NE 139th Street that connects NE 10th Ave. with NE 20th Ave. and includes new on and off ramps.
• Relocate northbound I-5 on-ramp entrance from 134th St. to 139th St.
• Construct a new lane on I-5 northbound between NE 139th Street and NE 179th Street.
• Relocate the C-Tran Park-and-Ride lot from NE 134th Street to a new location near the corner of NE 139th Street and NE 10th Avenue.
• Add an exit-only lane to NE 134th Street from I-205 NB resulting in a two-lane off-ramp.
• Realign northbound I-205 to the west at NE 139th Street to accommodate vertical clearance requirements with NE 139th Street.
• Widen the intersection of NE 20th Ave and NE 139th St.
• Widen NE 10th Avenue from NE 134th Street to NE 141st Street and construct a round-a-bout at intersection of NE 10th Ave. and NE 136th St.

The Salmon Creek Interchange Project will provide motorists with new and improved options to safely reach their destinations.

Project Benefits

• Congestion Relief: This project will reduce congestion and travel time at this interchange by preventing vehicles on the I-5 and I-205 off ramps at NE 134th Street from backing up on to the interstates.
• Safety: The project will provide safety benefits to motorists and pedestrians. Without the project, it is anticipated that the traffic back up on the northbound off-ramps to NE 134th Street from both I-5 and I-205 would be about 1,000 feet. This prevents traffic from clearing the I-5 and I-205 off ramps. When the project is constructed, these back-ups should be reduced to about 300 feet. In turn, this will reduce the accident rates on the northbound off-ramp from I-5 by keeping stopped vehicles from backing up onto the freeway at the exit areas.

What is the project timeline?

• 1997: The Salmon Creek/Fairgrounds Regional Road Plan considers a new connection across I-5 at NE 139th Street, but stops short of recommending the crossing be constructed.
• 2001: The I-5/I205 North Corridor Study recommends improvements to the freeway interchanges in the Salmon Creek area and a new crossing of I-5 at NE 139th Street to improve local circulation.
• 2002: The Access Point Decision Report evaluates changes to the freeway access in Salmon Creek.
• 2004: A range of interchange design alternatives for the Salmon Creek Interchange Project are developed and evaluated.
• Spring 2005: WSDOT and Clark County identify a recommended project option based on safety and mobility and host a project open house scoping meeting to introduce the project to the public.
• Spring 2006: WSDOT and Clark County host an access hearing and receive comments on the project. 
• Summer 2006: The Environmental Assessment preparation begins.
• Fall 2006: Preliminary design continues.
• 2007-2008: Continuing design work. Advanced the design and engineering and formal consultation with
  NOAA on ESA related issues.
• November 2009: WSDOT and Clark County have completed the Environmental Assessment (EA) and have released it to the public on November 12, 2009. The interchange Justification Report has been completed and is currently in the review process by the Federal Highways Administration in Washington, D.C.
• Late 2009/early 2010: Final design, Right-of-Way acquisition and permitting are expected to begin at the completion of the EA process and Interchange Justification Report.
• 2010: Construction will be completed in several phases, possibly beginning with Clark County road improvements in 2010.
• 2011: Anticipated construction start of WSDOT improvements.
• Late 2013/early 2014: Construction of Phase 1 of the project is anticipated for completion.
• 2015: Traffic modeling indicates that Phase 2 will not be necessary until approximately 2015. This timeline was based on the anticipated WSU Vancouver expansion. As the expansion development shifts further into the future so will the need for Phase 2 of construction.

Financial Information
2003 Legislative Funding Package (Nickel Funding): $84.3 million
Other funds: $37.3 million (Clark County and Federal Funds)
Additional funding needed: $18.4 million

Total Cost of the Project: $140 million

How can I get more information?
Contact:

Area Engineer Leon Winger
WSDOT Vancouver Area Office
P.O. Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 1-877-624-7196
E-mail: swVanc@wsdot.wa.gov

or

Communications
WSDOT Southwest Region
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360-905-2058
E-mail: SWWebInfo@wsdot.wa.gov

or access our project feedback form.

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