June 2009
- The project team is proceeding with design of final construction plans for the preferred alternative.
- The Biological Opinion has been issued by National Marine Fisheries and the Environmental Assessment is in the final review process. This is anticipated to be complete by Fall of 2009.
- Right of Way acquisition is scheduled to begin when the environmental documentation is complete.
- Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2011 if the remaining funding is secured, environmental permits are obtained and property acquisition is complete.
Overview
The Salmon Creek Interchange Project will reduce traffic congestion and improve safety in the fast growing Salmon Creek area by constructing a new I-5 interchange at NE 139th Street, improving the I-205 northbound off-ramp to NE 134th Street, and constructing other local road improvements.
Why is WSDOT
collaborating with Clark County on this project?
The population in Salmon Creek has increased significantly with housing, retail, office space, a hospital, and a college campus replacing what used to be farms and open space. Today, NE 134th Street is used by all local east-west traffic across I-5 and I-205, and provides access to both freeways from the Salmon Creek area. The close proximity of traffic signals on NE 134th Street and high traffic volumes in the area create gridlock, long delays, traffic back-ups, and a high rate of automobile accidents.The Salmon Creek Interchange Project will help address these problems.
Our Partners
The project is a joint effort between WSDOT and the Clark County Public Works Department.
The End Result
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Construct a new interchange and bridge crossing at I-5 and NE 139th Street that connects NE 10th Ave. with NE 20th Ave. and includes new on and off ramps.
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Relocate northbound I-5 on-ramp entrance from 134th St. to 139th St.
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Reconstruct I-5 bridges over I-205 to accommodate future I-5 widening.
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Construct a new lane on I-5 northbound between NE 139th Street and NE 179th Street.
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Relocate the C-Tran Park-and-Ride lot from NE 134th Street to a new location near the corner of NE 139th Street and NE 10th Avenue.
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Add an exit-only lane to NE 134th Street from I-205 NB resulting in a two-lane off-ramp.
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Realign northbound I-205 to the west at NE 139th Street to accommodate vertical clearance requirements with NE 139th Street.
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Widen the intersection of NE 20th Ave and NE 139th St.
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Widen NE 10th Avenue from NE 134th Street to NE 141st Street and construct a round-a-bout at intersection of NE 10th Ave. and NE 136th St.
The Salmon Creek Interchange Project will provide motorists with more, and better, options to safely reach their destinations.
Project Benefits
- Congestion Relief: This project will reduce congestion and travel time at this interchange by preventing vehicles on the I-5 and I-205 off ramps at NE 134th Street from backing up on to the interstates.
- Safety: The project will provide safety benefits to motorists and pedestrians. Without the project, it is anticipated that the traffic back up on the northbound off-ramps to NE 134th Street from both I-5 and I-205 would be about 1,000 feet. This prevents traffic from clearing the I-5 and I-205 off ramps. When the project is constructed, these back-ups should be reduced to about 300 feet. In turn, this will reduce the accident rates on the northbound off-ramp from I-5 by keeping stopped vehicles from backing up onto the freeway at the exit areas.
What is the project timeline?
WSDOT and Clark County are now preparing an environmental assessment and an Interchange Justification Report for the project that will be complete in 2008. Final design is expected to begin at the completion of that report. Project construction will likely be completed in several phases, possibly beginning in 2010 and ending in 2015.
Financial Information
2003 Legislative Funding Package (Nickel Funding): $81.7 million
Other funds: $40.3 million (Clark County and Federal Funds)
Additional funding needed: $18 million
Total Funding Available: $140 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Area Engineer Leon Winger
WSDOT Vancouver Area Office
P.O. Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 1-877-624-7196
E-mail: swVanc@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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