Project Facts
-
This addition to the existing northbound I-205 off-ramp to westbound Mill Plain Boulevard will give drivers a direct connection to NE 112th Avenue, completely bypassing Mill Plain Boulevard.
-
It will reduce congestion on Mill Plain Boulevard in the vicinity of I-205 and reduce backups on the norhtbound off-ramp to eastbound Mill Plain Boulevard.
- Construction begins June 9, 2008.
July 2008
- Construction began June 9, as crews install construction signs and fencing on the project. Motorists should expect shoulder closures on I-205 during this time. To learn about the scheduled traffic impacts related to this project, please visit our Weekly Travel Advisory Web page.
- A ground-breaking event was hosted on Wednesday, May 28, 2008.
- A pre-construction open house was held on June 5, 2008 to discuss the project with the public.
- Contractor Selby Bridge Company, Inc. of Vancouver, WA has been selected for this project.
Overview
This project will provide a direct connection to NE 112th Avenue from the northbound I-205 off-ramp to westbound Mill Plain Boulevard. This is a partnership project with the City of Vancouver.
This effort is part of strategic improvements to the I-205 freeway ramp network that has been in the planning stages for many years.
This project is funded from the 2003 Legislative Transportation Package and by the City of Vancouver.
Why is WSDOT
and the City of Vancouver building this project?
The close proximity of existing traffic signals and the high traffic volumes on Mill Plain Boulevard often results in long delays and traffic back-ups at the intersection of Mill Plain Boulevard and Chkalov Drive.
This congestion, combined with high volumes of traffic exiting northbound I-205 onto Mill Plain during peak travel times, results in congested freeway off ramps. Cars are lined up in the exit lane, impeding the traffic flow on northbound I-205 and westbound State Route 14. This congestion poses a significant safety concern and contributes to substantial delays and motorist frustration. A significant portion of the exiting traffic in this area is bound for NE 112th Avenue.
Our Partners
This project is being coordinated with the city of Vancouver. The city initiated work in an effort to improve safety and mobility in this area. The state will work with the city and contractor to prepare plans and will oversee the construction.
The End Result
This project will provide a direct connection to NE 112th Avenue from the off ramp of northbound I-205 to westbound Mill Plain Boulevard.
This effort is part of strategic improvements to the I-205 freeway ramp network that has been in the planning stages for many years.
Project Benefits
- Congestion Relief: When completed, the new ramp will reduce delays around the intersection of Mill Plain Boulevard and Chkalov Drive and at the northbound I-205 off ramp to Mill Plain Boulevard by 50 percent during peak travel times in 2020.
- Safety: This project will help reduce rear-end-type accidents on the Mill Plain Boulevard off ramp, which has been identified as a High Accident Location.
What is the project timeline?
- Winter 2004: Design and engineering work began.
- Spring 2006: Revise design to coordinate with Stage 1 of the I-205, Mill Plain to NE 18th Street Project and complete additional environmental documentation and refined design.
- June 9 2008: Construction begins.
- 2010: The new interchange configuration will be open to traffic.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Public involvement efforts related to this project have been part of WSDOT's I-205 corridor planning process and the City of Vancouver's transportation planning process for several years.
On June 5, 2008, WSDOT hosted a pre-construction open house to discuss the project with the public and explain what kind of traffic impacts motorists can expect during construction.
On February 16, 2006, WSDOT and the City of Vancouver hosted a public open house about this project to introduce the project to the public, provide information and get the public's feedback on issues to be addressed.
On January 12, 2005, WSDOT and the City of Vancouver hosted a public open house about the project. This open house introduced the project to the public and presented the preliminary design. The public also had an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback to WSDOT and the city about the project. A newsletter (.pdf, 533kb) about the project and the open house was mailed out to residents and businesses in the area in mid-December 2004.
A summary (.pdf, 46kb) of this open house and the comments received both verbally and in writing from the public is available for review.
An Access Hearing occurred on November 30, 2005. The hearing was a formal, legal forum for property owners affected by this project to give testimony about any concerns, suggestions or issues they have.
Additional public information and involvement efforts will be made as the project continues through the design phase and nears construction. WSDOT will post the latest public involvement information on this Web page and the SW Region's Public Involvement page when public meetings or open houses are scheduled. Mailings will also help inform area residents and businesses of project progress and opportunities to provide input.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT began the necessary environmental studies for this project in Summer 2003. The studies will detail the project's environmental impacts (natural, ecological, societal and economic) in order to guide future design and construction.
When funding became available for the I-205, Mill Plain Interchange to NE 18th Street project, environmental policy required that we evaluate the environmental issues for the combined projects, the I-205, NE 112th Connector and Stage 1 of the I-205, Mill Plain to NE 18th Street Interchange projects.
Additional environmental documentation is needed in the area where the NE 112th Connector meets the new NE 18th Street interchange ramp system. WSDOT is committed to preserving the environment and makes every effort to assess and minimize environmental impacts from its projects.
There are typically two components to WSDOT's erosion control and water quality protection efforts on highway projects: temporary measures during construction activities and permanent measures for when the project is completed. WSDOT incorporates "Best Management Practices" to reduce environmental impacts on water quality and provide erosion control at the construction site. These practices include covering disturbed soil to prevent erosion, and using silt fences, straw bales, and inlet filters to prevent sediment from leaving the work site.
Permanent erosion control and water quality measures will be addressed with construction of drainage structures, swales, and infiltration ponds that collect and filter highway storm-water runoff. This interchange project may provide opportunities to improve wetland habitat and storm water runoff in the 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
These improvements will help alleviate the occurrence of rear-end-type accidents on the Mill Plain Boulevard off ramp, which has been identified as a high accident location. These locations are those places on the highway system that experience a higher than average number of accidents compared to other locations with similar characteristics.
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 process is not applicable because the project does not impact tribal lands.
For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison website.
Financial Information
2003 Legislative Funding Package (Nickel Funding): $12 million
City of Vancouver: $4 million (design, engineering, right of way acquisition and construction)
Total Estimated Project Cost: $16 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Area Engineer Casey Liles
WSDOT Vancouver Area Office
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
11018 NE 51st Circle
Vancouver, WA 98682-6686
Phone: 360-905-1500
E-mail: swVanc@wsdot.wa.gov
or
Communications Manager Sylvia Ross
WSDOT Southwest Region
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
11018 NE 51st Circle
Vancouver, WA 98682-6686
Phone: 360-905-2058
E-mail: RossSy@wsdot.wa.gov
or
Jeff Schmidt
City of Vancouver, Transportation Services
PO Box 1995
Vancouver, WA 98668-1995
Phone: 360-696-8290
E-mail: jeff.schmidt@ci.vancouver.wa.us
or access our project feedback form.
back to top