View entire map. Construction area begins at Edgewood and extends south along Meridian Ave. E. to 36th St. E.
Project Facts
- Adds lanes and turn lanes.
- Upgrades existing traffic signals.
- Improves stormwater collection and treatment.
October 2008
The project is currently in the design stage and will be phased as follows:
• Phase 1 - 24th St. E. to Milton Way
• Phase 2 - 36th St. E. to 24th St. E.
WSDOT has made a Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) for this project in accordance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). SEPA provides the framework for agencies to consider the environmental consequences of a proposal before taking action. A DNS or "determination of nonsignificance" documents the responsible official's decision that a proposal is not likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts. This DNS was published on September 8, 2008 and is available through the Department of Ecology's SEPA Register. The public comment period ended September 24, 2008.
Why is WSDOT
building this project?
Traffic volumes along the SR 161 corridor in Edgewood have steadily increased in recent years, resulting in congestion, delays and collisions. This project improves safety and eases congestion by adding lanes and managing access.
The End Result
Improved mobility and safety benefits motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians traveling the SR 161 corridor through Edgewood.
Improvements include sidewalks, four- foot shoulders to accommodate bicycles, turning lanes at intersections, interconnected signals and a new signal at 16th Street. Additionally, access points (driveways) to the highway will be consolidated and defined.
Project Benefits
- Mobility. Additional lanes ease traffic congestion.
- Safety. New turn lanes, improved signals and managed access points improve safety.
What is the project timeline?
Design and environmental work resumed in June 2005. The purchase of right of way between 24th St. E. and Milton Way began in 2007 and will be completed by early 2009. Construction for Phase 1 is scheduled to begin in 2010.
Phase 2, from 36th St. E. to 24th St. E., is scheduled for right of way purchase between 2011 - 2013 and construction between 2019 - 2021.
Public Involvement
A public open house was held for this project at the Edgemont Junior High School on June 28, 2007. WSDOT staff working on this project provided a project update and displayed the proposed design, including pedestrian enhancements.
To this point, public involvement has included meetings with business owners and residential property owners, and open houses. In addition, newsletters have been mailed to recipients within the project area.
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Please contact Bill Elliott, project engineer, at 360-357-2682, for information on ways to participate in this project.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT engineers have incorporated numerous elements in this project designed to preserve and protect the environment including improved stormwater drainage ponds and grassy ditches to treat, filter and store highway runoff, buffers to protect wetlands and erosion and sediment control features.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
We are working to improve transportation safety across the state. Learn more about WSDOT's commitment to safety.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
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.
For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison Web site.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:
- 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) - $40,149,546
- Existing Funds - $23,773,042
- Other Agency Funds - $9,774
Heath Family Limited
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $63,932,362
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Bill Elliott, Project Engineer
WSDOT Tumwater Design Office
PO Box 47446
Olympia, WA 98504-7446
Phone: 360-570-6606
E-mail: elliotb@wsdot.wa.gov
back to top