On Dec. 9, 2008, The Columbian printed an article saying that Clark County had received $3 million in funding from the state of Washington for the reconstruction of Northeast 88th Street from St. Johns Road to Highway 99. Last spring it was announced that this project had been delayed. Does anyone know whether this project will be done this upcoming construction season? No preparatory work is visible at this time. This article noted that the county had received … a total of $6 million for both segments of the Northeast 88th St. construction. If the county did in fact receive that funding, what happened to it?”
— George Etter IV, Hazel Dell
No construction this year, George. You’ll have to hold your breath a little longer.
“The direct answer is no, there will not be construction during this coming season. The current schedule calls for construction to begin in July 2012 and last until the end of 2013,” said Jeff Mize, the county’s public works spokesman.
The county did improve one segment of the road you’re talking about, of course — the eastern section of 88th, from St. Johns to Andresen Road — a couple years ago.
The remaining project will upgrade a 1.71-mile section of Northeast 88th Street, from St. Johns to Highway 99, to a two-lane collector with a center turn lane, bike lanes and sidewalks, Mize said. Small sections of this have already been completed, Mize said, chiefly around the 25th Avenue intersection.
You can take a look at a fact sheet on the project at http://www.clark.wa.gov/publicworks/construction/documents/2011-2016TIP.pdf. (The 88th street project is on page 63).
By the way, the entire budget for this segment has risen a little, and now stands at $17.87 million, Mize said. That includes the $3 million in state funds you remember, George. There’s also $2 million in federal funds and just under $10 million in county road funds.
It’s “not uncommon” for delays to keep roadway projects from getting done, Mize said. “Projects often take years to put together. For example, an open house on Northeast 88th Street was held back in 2003 and, at one point, the schedule called for construction to begin in March 2006,” he said.
“As we get closer to actual construction, we will do targeted outreach to residents in the area to let them know what they can expect during construction,” he added.
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