Project Facts
- This project will improve mobility on SR 502.
- Without improvements, travel time between Duluth and Battle Ground will double from 8-10 minutes in 2006 to 16-20 minutes in 2033.
- This project is funded in part by the 2003 Legislative Funding Package and in part by the 2005 Transportation Partnership Project Program.
October 2008
- Preparations are underway for an Access Control Hearing in January 2009.
- Design engineering and environmental documentation is continuing.
- A project scoping open house was held on May 20 at the Cherry Grove Church in Battle Ground.
- After looking at several options to create a wider, safer corridor, WSDOT has decided to widen on the existing corridor, adding a lane in each direction and installing a median barrier.
- As the Public Involvement process continues, comments and input about the project welcomed. For comments, input and questions please e-mail: swGorge@wsdot.wa.gov.
Overview
This project will look to widen State Route 502 from two to four lanes from I-5 east into the City of Battle Ground. Median barrier will also be installed to help reduce the severity of collisions along the corridor.
For more information on the associated SR 502 interchange project please visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR502/Interchange
Why is WSDOT
widening State Route 502 in this area?
Local and regional growth demands on this corridor are putting pressure on local roads and creating unsafe driving conditions. The highway needs additional capacity to accommodate the increase in traffic.
The End Result
This project will help accommodate increasing traffic volumes on State Route 502 by widening the corridor from two to four lanes from Interstate 5 east to Battle Ground. Median barrier will also be installed to help reduce the severity of collisions along the corridor.
Project Benefits
- Congestion Relief: Widening SR 502 will improve mobility and provide better access from I-5 to the city of Battle Ground.
- Safety: This project will improve safety along the SR 502 corridor by adding two additional lanes, and by controlling access onto and off of the highway. Median barrier will be installed to help reduce the severity of collisions along the corridor.
What is the project timeline?
2003: Early design and environmental review began
2007: Scoping meeting, public involvement, and design continues
2008: Federally required environmental analysis takes place
2009 - 2012: Right of way process
2012: Construction scheduled to begin in 2012.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Public involvement efforts have been underway on this project since 1996. WSDOT engaged the public in the conceptual discussions about this project in February 2001 as part of the creation of I-5/I-205 North Corridor Strategy Report (.pdf, 5 mb), and in February 2002 as part of the creation of the Access Point Decision Report. In addition, several open houses were held in 1999 and 2000, and a special Citizen's Advisory Committee gave input and guidance to the study team.
The last open house occurred May 20, 2008 at the Cherry Grove church in Battle Ground. Prior to that, two open houses were held on Sept. 26, 2007 June 14, 2007 at the Battle Ground High School. This gave the public an opportunity to review the design alternatives and provide input on the project.
A scoping meeting was held Feb. 22, 2007 at the Battle Ground High School. Another open house was held March 27, 2007 to introduce several conceptual alignments. Alignment options were presented again on May 9, 2007. Public involvement will continue while the options are considered.
Additional outreach efforts will occur during the design and environmental process, so that residents and property owners can review and contribute to the project's plans prior to construction.
WSDOT will post information about all public involvement opportunities on this Web page and the Public Involvement page as they are scheduled.
Environmental Protection
The necessary environmental analysis for this project has begun. This study will detail the project's environmental impacts (natural, ecological, societal and economic) in order to guide final design and construction. This project may provide an opportunity to mitigate impacts to wetland habitat and from storm water runoff in the project area.
For environmental information specific to this project, please contact Erin Gardner at (360) 905-2185, or e-mail GARDNEE@wsdot.wa.gov.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
This project will help keep traffic moving on SR 502 between I-5 and Battle Ground as the area continues to grow. Improved mobility and decreased congestion contributes to safer roads, appropriate travel speeds, and reduced accident rates.
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.
This project lies within the usual and accustomed areas of the Cowlitz and Chinook Tribes. Formal consultation was initiated during the fall of 2007. WSDOT is continuing consultation as the project develops. The cultural resources report will arrive in March 2008 and the tribes will review and comment on the report.
For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison website.
Financial Information
Nickel Funding: $ 7.8 million
Transportation Partnership Funding: $79.8 million
Existing Funds (motor vehicle account): $200,000
Total Estimated Project Cost: $88 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Area Engineer Chris Tams
WSDOT Columbia Gorge Project Office
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360-759-1310
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.
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