News briefs for Aug. 15, 2019

Washougal roundabout work underway

Work has begun on a permanent roundabout at the intersection of state Route 14 (Highway 14) and Washougal River Road (15th Street) in Washougal.

Washougal River Road was closed between Highway 14 and “A” Street on Aug. 14. The closure runs through Aug. 26.

According to a news release, travel on Highway 14 will not be restricted, other than access to Steamboat Landing Park from 15th Street, just south of Highway 14 which will remain open to right in/right out turns only for eastbound travelers.

Businesses north of Highway 14 will remain open and can be accessed through “A” Street north of Highway 14.

Travelers on Highway 14 will shift to the south while crews work in the northern half of the intersection, according to the news release.

During the closure, crews will remove the traffic signals, install drainage, perform earthwork, reconstruct the roadway, pave, pour a new concrete truck apron, and install new pavement markings. “The traffic lights on (Highway 14) at Washougal River Road/15th Street will be removed, and traffic will operate in the permanent roundabout configuration,” according to the news release. “Where concrete work is not complete, the roundabout and splitter islands will be clearly marked with temporary striping, channelization and pavement markers to guide traffic.”

Washougal working to improve streets

The city of Washougal is in the midst of a robust Pavement Management Program (PMP), made possible by an enhanced investment from the city council.

PMP funding was increased from $750,000 in 2018 to $863,000 in 2019, according to a news release issued by the city. Results of the 2018 Community Survey indicated maintenance of city streets was an area that needed improvement. The 2019 program includes 85,000 square yards of slurry seal and 3,700 square yards of asphalt rubber chip city-wide.

“The council listened to the community’s needs and made investment in pavement management a priority,” Washougal mayor Molly Coston said in a news release. “Now we are seeing the results with the work we are accomplishing in this year’s program.”

The program will have the greatest impact in those areas of town which are scheduled for certain types of repair or rehabilitation based on the age and condition of the street, according to the news release.

Completed in June, this year’s biggest project was an asphalt overlay on Washougal River Road. In addition to the typical surface treaments utilized, the city will apply an asphalt rubber chip seal to a section of Sunset Ridge Drive. “Asphalt rubber chip seals can have a number of benefits compared to the traditional chip seal, including less impact on traffic, a longer lifetime and noise reduction on roadways,” according to the news release.

As part of the 2019 budget, the Washougal City Council voted to initiate a state-authorized $20 annual vehicle registration fee to provide enhanced funding for road maintenance. Collection on the new fee began in June and allows the city to increase funding for the PMP by over $113,000 this year.

In addition to the registration fee revenues, the PMP is funded by a portion of the annual revenue from Real Estate Excise Tax and the general fund.

Pavement management is the process of planning the reconstruction, rehabilitation, maintenance and repair of streets to efficiently optimize the pavement conditions over the entire network of roadways, according to the news release.

Camas City Council to host fall ward meetings

Camas City Council members will host ward meetings this fall to help residents have greater access to elected officials.

There are three wards in the city of Camas. To determine which city council member(s) represent a ward, visit http://bit.ly/CamasWards, click on the “Search” tab and enter a street address.

The meeting schedule for Wards 1 and 2 have not yet been determined. Ward 3, with councilors Ellen Burton and Greg Anderson, will host a meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8, in the community room of Camas Fire Station 42, 4321 N.W. Parker St.

All Camas residents are invited to attend. For more information, contact City Administrator Pete Capell at pcapell@cityofcamas.us or 360-314-7216.