SR-14 access improvement options to be presented at open house

The Washington State Department of Transportation has developed seven conceptual alternatives that could improve access on State Route 14.

The options will be available to view during an open house Thursday, Oct. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m., in the Port of Camas-Washougal meeting room, 24 S. “A” St., Washougal.

WSDOT staff will be available to discuss design options, take feedback and answer questions. There will be no formal presentation at the event.

An online survey, at www.surveymonkey.com/r/KeepingWashougalConnected, is also available to receive public comments through Sunday, Oct. 30.

WSDOT will use the information gathered at the open house and from the online survey to determine project priorities and develop design options. The options will be presented to the public for additional comment early next year. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2019.

State funding, in the amount of $7.5 million, could pay for the construction of roundabouts at 15th and 32nd streets. The money could also fund an environmental and options analysis to explore various solutions for a second phase of the project to construct a connection near 27th, and possibly other alternatives along the corridor.

Washougal City Administrator David Scott has said the two roundabouts would cost an estimated $6 million. That would leave $1.5 million for an options analysis on 27th.

Some Washougal and Port of Camas-Washougal officials want the roundabouts to improve access to the port by enhancing commercial truck and regular vehicular traffic, for development near Washougal Waterfront Park and Trail and the Steigerwald Commerce Center.

Laura Peterson, the assistant project engineer for the WSDOT Vancouver area engineering office, talked about the design options in the SR-14 access improvements project during the Washougal City Council workshop Monday.

“There are some real clear needs [in the area],” she said.

The project is expected to enhance safety and reduce collisions, provide better freight and local traffic access in and out of Washougal via SR-14 and allow for economic development.

For more information, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR14/accessimprove.