Investment in our region’s transportation system is happening in 2010 across all levels of government and across our different transportation modes — highways, public transit, bikes, pedestrian, water and rail.
The 2009 federal Economic Stimulus Bill has delivered over $20 million in direct transportation funding to our region. These funds have leveraged another $200 million in transportation investment that has put people to work and improved our region’s transportation system.
o Investment in our region’s transportation system will foster economic growth.
o In 2010, projects worth a combined $345 million are under way or planned.
o Vancouver will begin building $38.8 million worth of road, rail, and utility infrastructure to serve the $1.3 billion Columbia River Waterfront project.
o Clark County will begin construction of arterials for the $140 million I-5 and 134th Street interchange project in Salmon Creek.
o Investment in our region's transportation system will foster economic growth.
o In 2010, projects worth a combined $345 million are under way or planned.
o Vancouver will begin building $38.8 million worth of road, rail, and utility infrastructure to serve the $1.3 billion Columbia River Waterfront project.
o Clark County will begin construction of arterials for the $140 million I-5 and 134th Street interchange project in Salmon Creek.
o The Port of Vancouver will continue work on the $137 million rail improvement for the new Terminal 5 (the reclaimed Alcoa site).
o The Port of Vancouver will continue work on the $137 million rail improvement for the new Terminal 5 (the reclaimed Alcoa site).
Additional examples of how our region has invested and how we are making future investments are explained below.
Interstate 5/Columbia River Crossing Project
There is no bigger example of a future transportation investment than the I-5/Columbia River Crossing project. The project will rebuild five miles of the jammed Interstate 5, from state Highway 500 in Vancouver to Columbia Boulevard in Portland. Benefits to safety, mobility, and the environment will result from a new Columbia River Bridge, seven new interchanges, reconstruction of the freeway, new bike/pedestrian facility, and a light rail transit line linking downtown Vancouver to the rest of Portland’s 56-mile system.
The project’s physical and fiscal size, along with its complexity, can overshadow its “supersized” benefit to our transportation system. When the first I-5 bridge was opened in 1917 the headline read, “With Iron Bands We Clasp Hands.” It was clear to both states that Washington and Oregon, and Vancouver and Portland, would be forever joined in a new way. There is no question that if the CRC project is built, it would be seen in a similar light.
While the Columbia River Crossing project continues to draw headlines and spirited debate, milestones are targeted for 2010. These include publishing and approving the Final Environmental Impact Statement. Key elements in the FEIS will address a detailed design of the highway, bicycle, and light-rail elements, a financing plan, a tolling structure, and environmental mitigation actions.
The recently announced $650 million in cuts provides a smaller and more affordable CRC while maintaining safety, mobility, and environmental benefits. When the FEIS is completed, the Crossing project will be ready to begin final design, financing, and construction.
Public transit
In 2009, Clark County leaders positively answered the question: Can the urban areas of Southwest Washington move beyond a dependence on a one-person, one-car transport mode?
The answer came in the adoption of the Clark County High Capacity Transit System Plan as a blueprint for developing future transit corridors across Clark County. It is anticipated that Federal Transit Administration funds will be secured in 2010, giving the region an opportunity to pursue a fast, cost-effective, bus rapid transit concept for the Fourth Plain corridor.
The project provides an opportunity to improve mobility but to also re-envision economic development opportunities along Fourth Plain Boulevard.
State highway investment
One of the largest investments in our region’s state highway system is the result of the Washington Legislature’s Nickel and Partnership transportation funding measures.
These two transportation user-fee tax packages have delivered and will deliver a host of state highway improvements that in total invest over $762 million in transportation infrastructure in Clark County. The specifics of this investment are spelled out in the lists below:
More than $153 million has been invested to complete five projects: They are widening I-5 from 99th Street to Salmon Creek; a new interchange at state highway 500 and Thurston Way; a new interchange at state highway 500 and 112th Avenue; a new interchange at Interstate 5 and state Highway 502 into Battle Ground, and a new freeway connector from I-205 to 112th Avenue.
Coming in 2010
In 2010, projects to be completed or under construction total $345 million. They are:
o A new interchange at I-5 and state Highway 501 to Ridgefield
o Widening state Highway 14 in Camas and adding a new interchange.
o A new interchange at state highway 500 and St. Johns Road.
o Adding turn lanes at state Highway 503 at the Fourth Plain Boulevard intersection.
o Adding a new climbing lane on state Highway 503 at Lewisville Park north of Battle Ground.
o Construction of a rail bypass at 39th Street in Vancouver.
o Completion of the FEIS for the Columbia River Crossing Project.
o Looking longer-term
The investments to be built between 2011 and 2015 will total another $264 million. They include new interchanges and connecting arterials at I-5/Salmon Creek, a new interchange at I-205 and 18th Street, and widening of state Highway 502 to Battle Ground.
Meanwhile, the city of Vancouver will begin construction on $38.8 million worth of road, rail, and utility infrastructure investment needed to serve the $1.3 billion Columbia River Waterfront project.
Clark County will begin construction of the county arterials associated with the $140 million I-5 and 134th Street interchange project in Salmon Creek.
The Port of Vancouver will invest in its West Vancouver Freight Access project by continuing the second element of the $137 million rail improvement for the new Terminal 5 (reclaimed Alcoa site). This rail investment will improve operations for both the Port and BNSF and set the stage for economic growth and new jobs.
Conclusion
An investment in transportation infrastructure does not guarantee a path out of our historic economic slump, but it does create an environment fostering economic growth.
Who would disagree that our transportation network for cars, transit, bikes, pedestrians, air, water, and rail is an essential part our everyday life? We all depend on it to get to where we need to go, and to move goods and services into and out of our community.
The transportation system is central to what makes our community work. Our lives and economic livelihood depend on access to transportation facilities. Transportation defines the character of our neighborhoods, how our community looks, where we live, and our safety. Who would disagree?
Because transportation is essential to our everyday lives and central to how our community works, we must invest in its future. Who would disagree?
The economy is bad, really bad. But today’s investment in building tomorrow’s transportation system can help move our region into economic recovery, produce jobs, and serve the mobility needs of a new economy as it begins to prosper.
Who would disagree?
