Overview
This project will help improve safety and mobility on State Route 14 between Marble Road and Belle Center Road in western Skamania County by straightening several curves, paving and replacing guardrail, and rebuilding the shoulder to accommodate slow-moving trucks on the highway.
Why is WSDOT
constructing this project?
SR 14 is a popular route for sightseeing and accessing various historical and recreational sites inside the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It is also utilized by many commercial trucks on their way to and from ports and cities along the Columbia River and the Washington-Oregon state line.
Approximately 4,700 vehicles drive this section of SR 14 each day. In the past ten years, there were nearly 300 reported collisions between Marble Road and Salmon Falls Road. In May 2004, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and Steering Committee, in conjunction with WSDOT, designated a portion of SR 14 in Skamania County between the Clark County line and North Bonneville as a Traffic Safety Corridor.
The End Result
This project will realign SR 14 further north in order to straighten out several curves just west of Marble Road (milepost 22.68 to 23.00). In addition, the project will rebuild the eastbound shoulder of the highway between Marble Road and Belle Center Road, which is commonly used by slow-moving trucks. Other minor safety improvements will be completed at the Belle Center Road and SR 14 intersection.
Previously, this project proposed to realign SR 14 at Belle Center Road (milepost 23.02 to 23.34) and between Belle Center Road and Cape Horn (milepost 23.34 to 24.6). Both of these elements have been deferred from the project due to escalating construction costs and limited funding. This project will still provide important safety improvements to this portion of SR 14.
Project Benefits
- Safety: This project will help reduce collisions along this section of SR 14 by straightening several curves on the corridor.
- Mobility: This project will rebuild the right passing shoulder between Marble Road and Belle Center Road, allowing large trucks to pull out of traffic without stopping. This shoulder improvement will allow vehicles to pass slow-moving trucks more easily on this section of the highway.
What is the project timeline?
- April 2007: Initial design work began.
- March 2009: Right-of-Way acquisition began.
- October 7, 2009: Project open house.
- Summer 2012: Construction scheduled to begin.
Financial Information
- Pre-existing funds: $6.6 million
- Total funding available: $6.6 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Area Engineer Chris Tams
WSDOT Columbia Gorge Area Office
P.O. Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360-759-1310, or toll-free 1-866-279-0730
E-mail: swGorge@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.
back to top