Press Release

Washington State Department of Transportation

What:

Public meeting on the upcoming I-5 widening project from NE 99th Street to NE 134th Street in the Salmon Creek area, with special focus on the replacement of the 129th Street bridge over the interstate.

When:

Wednesday, January 16, 2002 - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where:

Salmon Creek Elementary School, 1601 NE 129th Street in Vancouver

Background:

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is planning to widen I-5 between the NE 99th Street and NE 134th Street interchanges from four lanes to six, plus auxiliary lanes. This project is Phase 3 of a larger overall project to widen I-5 between Main Street and I-205, which has been underway since 1996.

As part of this project, WSDOT also will replace the northbound and southbound bridges over Salmon Creek, add an additional lane and a second left-turn lane at the northbound I-5 off-ramp to 134th Street and replace the NE 129th Street bridge over I-5. 

This particular project is currently in the design phase, and public input is being sought in order to help determine how the project will move forward into construction. If construction funds become available, WSDOT would advertise this project for bid this summer, with completion expected by the fall of 2004.

At the January 16 meeting, WSDOT will present information about the entire project, along with the options for replacing the 129th Street bridge. All interested members of the public are encouraged to come find out more about this project and share their thoughts and ideas on it with WSDOT. Meeting facilities are accessible to people with disabilities and children are welcome.

For more information about this project, visit the Web Site: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/I5SalmonCreektoi205/

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