Project Facts
- Currently, there is no northbound on-connection or southbound off-connection at this interchange.
- TRANS-action, a coalition of local governments, agencies, and businesses, selected this interchange improvement project as one of three top priority regional transportation needs.
- Several new bridges will be constructed as part of this interchange improvement.
October 2008
• Visit our booth at the fair shown below to find out more about WSDOT projects.
Central Washington State fair (Sept. 26 - Oct. 5)
• WSDOT is currently beginning early design work, which is funded by a federal earmark. Environmental impacts of the project are also being evaluated.
• WSDOT has started preparing the Interchange Justification Report and recently met with the Federal Highway Administration to discuss the feasibility of the interchange improvements.
• TRANS-Action, a coalition of elected officials and business and community leaders, has endorsed this project as essential for economic growth and vitality in the greater Yakima area.
Why is WSDOT
improving this interchange?
The South Union Gap interchange, along with the Valley Mall Blvd. interchange, serves a growing retail and commercial area in Union Gap and southwest Yakima. The area is experiencing increasingly heavy traffic congestion. The South Union Gap Interchange is incomplete, with only two of the four possible ramps built, forcing additional traffic to use the already congested Valley Mall Boulevard interchange to access I-82.
Reconstructing these two essential connections to I-82 and providing a direct route to the Yakima Regional Airport is a regional priority. This project was endorsed by a coalition of Yakima area elected officials, business and community leaders, and WSDOT as one of three top transportation projects in the Yakima area.
The improvements planned for the South Union Gap interchange link directly to the proposed Beltway Connector, which will provide direct access to I-82 from southwestern Yakima.
Our Partners
This project is in the early stages. Local city, county, and WSDOT officials are planning collaboratively with area business owners to bring about this much needed improvement. A public meeting was held in March 2003 to request public opinion regarding several conceptual design options.
The End Result
Two additional ramps will be constructed at the South Union Gap interchange to provide the missing northbound on and southbound off connections. The reconstructed interchange will connect directly to the proposed east-west Beltway Connector, and reduce the number of vehicles using the Valley Mall Boulevard interchange. Improved connections to I-82 will promote economic growth and development for the cities of Union Gap and Yakima.
Project Benefits
- Economic Vitality. Local community and business leaders targeted improving this interchange and the Valley Mall Blvd interchange as a top priority for economic growth and vitality. Congestion and lack of easy access will limit the development of additional retail and commercial business. Improved freeway access will open up new areas for development and ease congestion for the existing areas.
What is the project timeline?
Only a portion of the design work is funded through a 2004 Federal Earmark. If all needed funding was made available now, construction could start in 2011 with the improvements open to traffic in 2013.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. A public meeting was held on March 13, 2003, to solicit local comments. We anticipate additional public meetings as the project progresses. Please contact the WSDOT design office with comments or questions.
Environmental Protection
The appropriate environmental documentation will be completed for the project to address potential environmental issues. As preliminary designs are refined, environmental issues will be evaluated and appropriate mitigation developed. WSDOT is committed to protecting the environment, and makes every effort to assess and minimize negative impacts from highway improvement projects.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Improving capacity for the interchanges and providing more efficient connections to the local road system will improve traffic flow, lessen conflicts, and improve safety for this busy area.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
The project is so early in pre-design that the tribal consultative process has not yet begun. WSDOT will work closely with area tribal officials to identify and avoid culturally sensitive areas within the corridor. For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison website.
At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.
Financial Information
This project is in the early planning stages. The current estimated overall project cost to improve this interchange is approximately $66-$80 million. Further refinement of the estimated cost is necessary.
Limited funds from a 2004 federal earmark and additional funds from the latest reathorization of the Federal Transportation bill, (SAFETEA-LU) will fund a portion of the design work.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Development Branch Project Engineer, Jeff Minnick
WSDOT South Central Project Office
PO Box 12560
Yakima, WA 98909
Phone: 509.577.1704
mailto:minnicj@wsdot.wa.gov
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