Project Status
The project team is completing an environmental assessment — a process required by the federal government that complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) – for the Salmon Creek Interchange Project.
After finding increases in the project cost estimate, the project team recently identified a revised project alternative that would still achieve desired improvements to traffic flow in the area at a lower cost.
The refined design is the most cost-effective way to relieve congestion in the Salmon Creek area while minimizing negative environmental and community impacts. The refined Salmon Creek Interchange Project map is now available for your review.
The Salmon Creek Interchange Project will reduce traffic congestion and improve safety in the fast growing Salmon Creek area. The project is a joint effort of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Clark County Public Works Department.
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 long delays, traffic back-ups, and a high rate of automobile accidents. The Salmon Creek Interchange Project will help address these problems.
The completed project will move some traffic accessing I-5 from NE 134th Street to NE 139th Street , and it will improve local streets in the area. These changes will improve safety and relieve congestion in Salmon Creek.
The environmental assessment is expected to be completed in summer 2007 and will be available for public review and comment. The project team will complete the final design and secure the necessary environmental permits once the environmental assessment is complete.
Construction will begin in 2009 if permits are acquired, design is finalized and the county has completed the financing plan. The first project phase will take three to four years to complete, but some elements could be completed early in the first phase providing some congestion relief.
