This project was completed on time and a half a million dollars under budget.
- In October 2012, local, state and federal officials joined the Washington State Department of Transportation in completing the interchange improvements with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
- The project was completed on time and on budget.
- Since the first two new roundabouts opened in November of 2011, traffic flow has improved and traffic data shows that collisions in the area have been cut in half.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds allow WSDOT to deliver this crucial improvement on its original schedule. Due to funding constraints, the Governor's budget had moved construction out six years.
This interchange provides access to and from I-82 for Union Gap and Yakima. WSDOT is updating and improving the interchange in order to provide additional capacity, free up movement on and off the interstate, and connect smoothly with the expanding local road system.
Why is WSDOT
improving the interchange?
The Valley Mall Boulevard interchange serves a growing retail and commercial area in Union Gap and southwest Yakima. The area is experiencing increasingly heavy traffic congestion, which begins with the limited capacity of the Valley Mall Interchange.
Our Partners
Local city, county and WSDOT officials planned collaboratively with area business owners to bring about this much needed improvement. A public meeting was held in March 2003 and in March 2008 to request public opinion regarding several conceptual design options.
The End Result
The Valley Mall Boulevard interchange was reconfigured to provide better, more direct access to and from I-82, and access to N. Rudkin Rd. A frontage road serving trucking and commercial businesses was realigned to provide improved access. Improved connections to the interstate will encourage economic growth and development for both Union Gap and Yakima.
Project Benefits
- Economic vitality. Local community and business leaders targeted improving this interchange and the South Union Gap interchange as a top priority for economic growth and vitality. Congestion and lack of easy access limit the development of additional retail and commercial business. Improved freeway access to and from the newly extended Valley Mall Boulevard opens up new areas for development.
- Freight mobility. These improvements now provide better interstate access for five local T-2 (4 million - 10 million tons of freight carried per year) and T-3 (300,000 - 4 million tons of freight carried per year) classified freight routes, including N. Rudkin Road, W. Ahtanum Road, and E. Washington Avenue.
- Safety. Unsafe conditions due to ramp traffic backing-up onto I-82 have been eliminated with the new configuration. Better traffic flow in the interchange area will reduce collisions due to congestion and impatient drivers.
- Congestion relief. This interchange frequently becomes a chokepoint because of its limited capacity. This improvement will eliminate congestion backing up onto I-82, and provide much improved free-flowing access onto the interstate and Valley Mall Blvd.
- System efficiencies. The improved configuration will optimize travel through the interchange and on Valley Mall Blvd. as well.
- Jobs. We estimate this project supported 140 jobs over the life of the project. This includes jobs on the project, jobs producing materials for the project, and other jobs in the local community.
- Health/Environment. Access to the local ten-mile long Yakima Greenway pedestrian/bicycle path will be improved, which will further encourage healthy activities for the community. The Greenway path reaches parks, fishing lakes, and river access landings.
What is the project timeline?
- Begin construction - April 2010
- I-82 eastbound on-and-off-ramps relocated - July 2010
- New I-82 eastbound on-and-off-ramps open to traffic - November 2010
- Improvements open to traffic - October 2011
Financial Information
| Financial Data for PIN 508201O |
| Funding Source |
Amount ($ in thousands) |
| 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) |
$0 |
| 2005 Gas Tax (TPA) |
$8,488 |
| Pre-Existing Funds (PEF) |
$25,681 |
| Total |
$34,169 |
|
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Bill Preston, WSDOT Project Engineer
PO Box 12560
Yakima, WA 98909
Phone: 509.577.1810
Email: PrestoB@wsdot.wa.gov
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications Manager
P.O. Box 12560
Yakima, WA 98908
Phone: (509) 577-1617
Email: Westbam@wsdot.wa.gov
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