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Overview
Like many areas in Washington, North Lewis County’s local roads are shared with regional freight traffic. Congestion is common because these roads are not designed to handle the number of vehicles traveling within and throughout the area. To mutually improve mobility and industrial access, we are studying opportunities to improve the performance and safety of streets near the I-5/Harrison Avenue interchange (Exit 82) to better serve the community. To begin the assessment, we are reviewing the existing environmental resources and traffic conditions to narrow a wide range of potential projects down to one viable set of recommended improvements. This online open house provides a summary of our initial findings and asks for your comments on possible improvements or new projects that meet the purpose and need of the study.
Purpose and Need of the Study
The purpose of the North Lewis County Industrial Access Transportation Study is to address current conflicts between freight traffic and multimodal travelers near the Harrison Avenue interchange at I-5 (Exit 82). The project team is taking a holistic view of transportation in North Lewis County and identifying potential solutions to improve travel in the area.
Funding
The Legislature assigned $1 million from the Connecting Washington transportation package to conduct the study. As directed by the Legislature, we are identifying opportunities to improve access to industrially zoned properties in the area while determining the feasibility of constructing the I-5/North Lewis County interchange project.
Stakeholder Team
We are working alongside a team of local stakeholders who are providing input at key milestones of the study. Their recommendations will refine the suggested improvements and ensure support from local agencies. The Stakeholder Team includes staff from the:
- Federal Highway Administration
- Washington State Department of Transportation
- Thurston Regional Planning Council
- Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments
- Twin Transit
- Economic Alliance of Lewis County
- Thurston County
- Lewis County
- Port of Centralia
- City of Centralia
- Centralia College
The Stakeholder Team is being supported by a separate team of planning, design, and environmental staff from state and local agencies that are adding additional technical depth and recommending potential solutions to resolve transportation issues identified for the group. Both the Stakeholder Team and this core technical team will help refine the transportation improvements under consideration during the study.
How to Participate
Your input will help identify the preferred set of improvements we select in the study. Please share your opinions, concerns, and preferences with us in this open house. If something comes to mind after the open house has finished, please feel free to submit your comment on the project website. Your perspective and feedback will help us understand the community and shape the future of transportation.
Language assistance services
If you have difficulty understanding English, you may, free of charge, request language assistance services for this Department information by calling (360) 705-7090, or email us at: TitleVI@wsdot.wa.gov
Title VI notice to public
It is the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) policy to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise discriminated against under any of its programs and activities. Any person who believes his/her Title VI protection has been violated, may file a complaint with WSDOT’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR). For additional information regarding Title VI complaint procedures and/or information regarding our non-discrimination obligations, please contact OECR’s Title VI Coordinator at (360) 705-7090.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) information
This material can be made available in an alternate format by emailing the Office of Equity and Civil Rights at wsdotada@wsdot.wa.gov or by calling toll free, 855-362-4ADA (4232). Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may make a request by calling the Washington State Relay at 711.