Project Facts
- More than 1,000 vehicles use this section of SR 530 daily.
- The river is located in a Wild and Scenic River corridor.
- We will use ecologically friendly solutions when shifting the highway away from the river, and we will preserve or improve fish-spawning areas.
July 2008
- We anticipate construction beginning in 2009.
- We are currently evaluating several alternative designs for the roadway realignment to combine budget, right of way and design criteria to produce a practical solution. We expect to have a preferred alternative soon so we can begin developing more specific plans.
- The 2005 Transportation Partnership Funding Package provided $3.1 million for realigning State Route 530 away from the Sauk River.
Overview
We will move SR 530 away from the Sauk River where they meet, eight miles south of Rockport. Flooding has caused repeated damage to the riverbank and shoulder along the highway. The highway is an important transportation link between I-5 and the North Cascades Highway and needs to be shifted away from the river to prevent further damage.
Why is WSDOT
realigning the highway?
Since the early 1990s, the Sauk River has eroded its stream banks and the SR 530 highway shoulder. When this occurs, we are forced to close the road. This is a significant problem for many drivers, businesses and residents because the highway is the primary road in and out of the area. It serves as the primary route for transit buses, trucks carrying timber products and tourists.
The End Result
We will shift the highway away from the Sauk River, which will reduce the need for road closures and the risk of highway damage. This will help keep the local economy strong and save tax money by minimizing costly repairs.
Project Benefits
• Safety: This project will protect the highway from flood damage, which can create hazards.
• Congestion: We will help keep traffic moving by helping prevent road closures.
• Environment: We will preserve or improve fish-spawning areas along this route.
What is the project timeline?
We anticipate construction beginning in 2009.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Please contact Dustin Terpening if you have questions or comments.
Environmental Protection
We make every effort to assess and minimize environmental impacts from our projects. We know that there are fish in the Sauk River that are listed on the Endangered Species Act, and that the river is located in a Wild and Scenic River corridor. We will find and develop ecologically friendly solutions for protecting the highway.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
For years, the Sauk River has routinely eroded the banks near SR 530, forcing maintenance crews to make emergency repairs. Shifting the highway away from the river will increase safety by removing the risk of damage to the highway and by eliminating routine maintenance work.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
We will consult with Tribes and other interested parties as we develop this project.
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.
To learn more about the tribal consultation process please visit WSDOT's Tribal Liaison page, where you'll find links to WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan and WSDOT's Tribal Consultation Policy (Adopted by the Transportation Commission on February 19, 2003).
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following fund sources:
- 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $7 million
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $7 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Project Engineer Dawn Yankauskas
Mount Baker Project Office
6505 216th St SW
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Phone: 425-744-5103
E-mail: yankadr@wsdot.wa.gov
Communications Dustin Terpening
WSDOT Mt. Baker Headquarters
1043 Goldenrod Road, Suite 101
Burlington, WA 98233-3415
Phone: (360) 757-5997
E-mail: Terpenid@wsdot.wa.gov
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