November 2009
• The final report has been sent to WSDOT Headquarters for review and approval.
• A list of
recommended improvements is now available for each segment of the SR 164 route development plan.
• We expect to release the final route development plan this winter.
Why is WSDOT
looking at ways to improve SR 164?
SR 164 is an important rural and commuter highway; a regional highway for southeast King County; a main street for Auburn, Enumclaw and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and a main access for Enumclaw Plateau residents. This freight connector experiences mounting traffic congestion and has a number of high accident locations.
This 15-mile highway also provides access to Mt. Rainier National Park and the White River Amphitheater on the Muckleshoot Reservation.
The 2004 Legislature provided $650,000 in funds to the WSDOT to evaluate transportation problems and potential improvements for SR 164 and recommend projects for implementation.
The End Result
Phase I of the SR 164 corridor study was completed in 2001 and resulted in a list of 34 short-term improvements, some of which have already been implemented by WSDOT and our partners.
Now in Phase II, the final product of this phase will be a route development plan containing community and environmentally sensitive transportation recommendations to increase safety and travel reliability; reduce person and vehicle delay; manage access; and respond to growth in the years to come.
The route development plan;and the list of recommended projects will be developed by a corridor working group made up of local city, county, regional, and state partner agencies responsible for guiding the route development plan effort. These corridor working group partners include the cities of Auburn and Enumclaw; the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe; the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC); King County; and the Washington State Department of Transportation. These partners are the agencies responsible for funding and implementing the route development plan's recommended projects. The corridor working group encourages input from partners and citizens to develop consensus-based recommendations that address transportation problems along the corridor. The recommendations will include:
- Short-term proposed for mobility and safety improvements for the next six to 10 years.
- Long-term mobility and safety recommendations for the next 25 years.
Most of these recommended projects are not currently funded. If funded, some projects may move forward as WSDOT projects; others may be implemented collaboratively with partner agencies; or may be done by local agencies.
What are Route Development Plans?
Route development plans are planning studies for state highway corridors. Within the study area, existing and future transportation related problems are identified and appropriate solutions are proposed. Corridor lengths may vary from a few miles to an entire highway route and proposed solutions may include several alternatives.
The RDP analysis focuses on issues that might affect the individual state highway and surrounding communities. Those issues include:
- operating conditions (traffic flow)
- safety concerns
- environmental issues
- population and land development
- right-of-way
WSDOT provides information on the web for other RDP's around the state.
Project Benefits
- Regional and Statewide Planning. The recommended set of projects will be produced in a Route Development Plan. The improvements will then be eligible for inclusion in the Regional Transportation Plan and the Washington Transportation Plan.
- Improve Safety. Possible recommended improvements include: separation of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, installation of signals, and designated highway crossings.
- Ease Congestion. Recommended projects will seek to reduce traffic bottlenecks and chokepoints where possible, while improving the flow of people and goods through the corridor.
What is the project timeline?
The study is expected to conclude with the publication of the final Route Development Plan.
- September 2004 to December 2004: Developed immediate-term list of projects.
- September 2004 to March 2005: Developed short-term and long-term projects.
- March 2005: Held first round of open houses.
- March 2005 to August 2005: Evaluated and refined projects.
- October 2005: Held second round of open houses.
- Summer 2006: Completed recommendations and developed the SR 164 Route Development Plan.
- September 2006: Distributed draft of the route development plan to corridor working group for comment.
- Fall 2006 to Spring 2007: WSDOT’s internal review and approval of revised draft plan.
- Winter 2009: Expect to release the final approved route development plan.
Financial Information
The project is funded through the following sources:
•2004 Legislative Appropriation - $650,000
• Total Funding Available from all sources - $650,000
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Corridor Planning Manager Richard Warren
401 2nd Avenue South, Ste 300
Seattle, WA 98104-2887
urbanplanning@wsdot.wa.gov
206.464.1283
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