An informational Open House meeting to introduce area residents to this project was held Thursday, July 12, 2001 at the Nine Mile Falls Elementary School. Interested citizens were invited to drop by and the WSDOT staff was available to answer questions and field comments.
Four alternatives were presented for public review.
Approximately 300 interested citizens attended. Conversations and written comments were compiled and reviewed and the results are as follows:
Map of Alternates
Click image to enlarge
The primary reasons the majority favored alternative 1 was because of the improved safety at the approach to SR 291, the minimal impact to homes, and overall cost. All four alternatives realign SR 291 @ the 9 mile dam and construct a 2 way left turn lane through the business corridor. The following are descriptions of the differences between the alternates.
Preferred Alternate
ALTERNATE 1 Estimated cost $3.6 million
DESCRIPTION: Realigns Rutter Parkway to intersect with SR 291 0.44 miles south of the existing intersection.
ADVANTAGES: Impacts some homes.
DISADVANTAGES: Has an impact on two homes. RISKS: None known.
ALTERNATE 2 Estimated cost $3.5 million
DESCRIPTION: Realigns Rutter Parkway to intersect with SR 291 0.25 miles south of existing intersection.
ADVANTAGES: The new Rutter Parkway would be the shortest.
DISADVANTAGES: Has high impact on several homes. Sight distance would not be as favorable. The grade of Rutter near the intersection of SR 291 is the steepest. RISKS: Further evaluations may reveal design standards that can't be met
ALTERNATE 3 Estimated cost $9.0 million
DESCRIPTION: Realigns Rutter Parkway to intersect with SR 291 250 feet south of the existing intersection.
ADVANTAGES: Very minor impacts to homes. The grade of Rutter Parkway would be the least.
DISADVANTAGES: Would require very large cuts in the existing hill. Approximately 475,000 cubic yards of waste material would result. It would also have a large impact on Avista Utilities. This alternate is the most expensive. RISKS: Costs for utility relocation.
ALTERNATE 4 Estimated cost $8.5 million
DESCRIPTION: Realigns Rutter Parkway to intersect with SR 291 0.51 miles north of the existing intersection.
ADVANTAGES: No impact to homes. Rutter Parkway could remain open during the entire project.
DISADVANTAGES: Would require very large cuts in the existing hill. Approximately 463,000 cubic yards of waste material would result. Would have to acquire State Park land. Extensive impacts to Avista Utilities. Cost estimate is still very high. RISKS: Costs for utility relocation and mitigation for State Parks