Moving beyond the Columbia River Crossing
When the governor unveiled his transportation package in December, he didn’t specifically carve out money for Southwest Washington projects.
Although he mentioned he hadn’t forgotten the region, he couldn’t help but admit he was a little frustrated.
Like reporter Eric Florip pointed out this week: the CRC is officially dead.
And the governor seems ready to move on … kind of.
He’s mentioned a few key projects he’s willing to support in the region to the tune of $215 million.
“We want to move forward to work with your delegation to get those on a project list if you will, an eventual transportation project,” Inslee said last week. “We know how important they are, and as you know as a person who fought so long and hard for the Columbia River Crossing, we want to make investments in this community in transportation.”
Here’s the list of regional projects Inslee is supporting:
- Interstate 5 Mill Plain Boulevard interchange and connecting ramp upgrades between SR-14 and Fourth Plain Boulevard, the project would improve capacity
- SR-501 (Mill Plain Blvd) to I-5 to Port of Vancouver, the project aims to upgrade signal systems and pedestrian safety
- Estimated cost $86 million
- SR-501 (Pioneer St) and Pioneer Street Bridge upgrades
- Estimated cost $16 million
- SR-14: 1-205 to SE 164th Ave; and West Camas Slough Bridge, project would add auxiliary lanes on SR-14 to I-205 to eliminate congestion and add a second bridge on SR-14 Camas slough bridge
- Estimated cost $63 million
- I-5/179th Street Interchange, upgrade interchange
- Estimated cost $50 million
Of course, for these projects to materialize …
Lauren Dake
Lauren Dake covers politics for The Columbian. You can reach her at 360-735-4534 or lauren.dake@columbian.com. Follow her on Twitter .