To accommodate existing and projected growth, enhance safety and preserve capacity, this plan recommends providing a five lane undivided alignment ($14.1 million) the entire length of the corridor by:

• Constructing two additional lanes for through traffic

• Constructing one additional lane through the center for a two way left turn lane

• Implementing partial access control along segment

This recommended alternative is cost beneficial with many advantages such as improving capacity and safety, providing separation of traffic, having minimal need of additional right-of-way, creating only minor impacts to environment, and providing for route continuity.

Route Development Plans (RDPs) are planning studies on state highway facilities that identify deficiencies and propose solutions. The route development plan process identifies the transportation services desired by our customers, determines competing demands, and integrates the findings into a common vision for the entire transportation system. It’s a process that supports investment decisions. RDPs are “living documents” that are periodically updated to identify and analyze operating conditions, environmental issues, population, land use, including right-of-way and other issues affecting the future of state highway corridors and adjacent neighbors. This study serves as a tool for discussion, a mechanism to integrate the needs of the Department of Transportation with the needs of cities, counties, traveling public, and other stakeholders in the development of transportation solutions.

Route Development Plans identify proposed improvements on a designated section of a state highway that will accommodate safety and capacity requirements during the next 20 years. The RDP process integrates various elements to produce an endorsed highway design solution. The RDP process involves several phases, including data collection, public meetings, interagency liaison, traffic analysis, the RDP proposal, and review comments. This plan is part of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Eastern Region long-range planning program and is intended to support local jurisdictions in the implementation of the Growth Management Act (GMA) RCW 36.70A.

This long range plan will provide:

• Guidance for regional decision makers regarding future projects on this state route;

• Direction for determining possible mitigation measures for proposed developments;

• Inclusion of improvement solutions in the State Highway System Plan;

• Guidance for interim projects to ensure the progression towards the long-range objectives;

• Coordination with various stakeholders on the future development of this state route; and

• Adoption in region land use plans.