Washougal gets $816K grant for shared-use path

The Southwest Regional Transportation Council (RTC) has awarded the city of Washougal $816,250 for the construction of a shared use path along South 27th Street.

The RTC recently selected eight bike and pedestrian projects within Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat counties to receive approximately $3.1 million from the United States federal government’s Transportation Alternatives Program.

“All were community-based projects that expand travel choices, improve the travel experience, and enhance mobility and safety,” according to a news release.

The City is planning to build a separated shared use path that will connect east Washougal to Captain William Clark Park and the Dike Trail.

“We are grateful to be receiving (this) grant,” City Manager David Scott said. “The RTC previously granted $226,000 for design, which fully funds the design costs, (so) we are about to start design (work). We need to raise an additional $877,250 to complete the project based on current cost estimates, (so) we are still a couple of years out from construction. We are exploring other grant funding opportunities to close the remaining gap. We will also use Transportation Impact Fee revenue as needed for a local match.”

The $1.7 million project will expand bicycle and pedestrian facility connectivity within Washougal and strengthen a “safe and cohesive” active transportation network, according to the City’s Transportation Alternatives Program funding application form.

“Currently there are no existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities connecting eastern Washougal to Captain William Clark Park and the Dike Trail,” the application states. “These recreational facilities are heavily used by the community year round. This project will close an active transportation gap and provide a safe multi-modal connection. … The proposed project will improve circulation and safety, accommodate mobility for users of all abilities, and enhance the vital linkage between the eastern neighborhoods, a region-wide recreational shared use path, and the (Columbia) River.”

The path will provide users with “a myriad of benefits,” according to the application.

“This public facility will be usable by all by connecting residents to recreation destinations and allowing for modal choice,” the application states. “It will add a shared path, reducing conflicts. The roadway will have more capacity to carry more multi-modal users to arrive at their destination safely without delay. Improvements will provide additional measures of safety while encouraging more active transportation use by having a multimodal facility that is comfortable to use and less stressful than riding or walking on a roadway shoulder.”

The project will also include stormwater improvements, Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, a crosswalk and rectangular rapid flashing beacon at Index Street, and conduit for future fiber optic facilities; and incorporate funds to install local student artwork along the trail.

“Given Hathaway Elementary School is located near the path, the City would work with its art commission board to develop a competition with the school where students submit a drawing and short paragraph indicating why biking and walking is an important aspect in our community,” the application states. “The board would select the winning drawings from each grade level, and the project would construct signs throughout the path displaying the winning submissions.

“The city also has an annual art project fund that constructs art projects throughout the City. Every few years, the City could fund a new competition to replace the signs on the path with new entries. Not only is this a great way for community involvement, but it creates discussion of multi-modal travel within the school system.”