Date:  Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Contact: Leon Winger, WSDOT Project Engineer, (360) 905-1500 (Vancouver)
Annie Linstrom, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2079 (Vancouver)

Environmental Assessment released and available for public comment

VANCOUVER - The Washington State Department of Transportation and Clark County will host a public open house to discuss the Salmon Creek Interchange project and receive comments on the project’s Environmental Assessment (EA). Local residents, business owners, and property owners are encouraged to attend.

The EA will be available for public review at the meeting. CD-ROMs will be provided at no charge and hard copies of the document will be available to purchase for $25. For auditing purposes, please be prepared to provide payment in the form of a check. The EA is also available online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/ne134thi205/EA.htm.

Details of the open house are as follows:

Wednesday, December 2
4:30 – 7:30 p.m. (stop by anytime)
Alki Middle School
1800 NW Bliss Road
Vancouver, WA 98685

This open house coincides with the release of the EA and comment period. The 30-day comment period began November 12 and extends through December 11. The EA and associated comments will be used to determine whether a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will be prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). If the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) determines that the project can move forward with a FONSI, responses to the EA comments will be released to the public in an official decision report, otherwise known as the FONSI.

A court reporter will be available at the open house to take individual oral comments on the project. Written comments may also be provided on comment forms, e-mailed to swvanc@wsdot.wa.gov, or mailed to:

Vancouver Area Engineer Leon Winger
PO Box 1709
Vancouver WA 98668

The Salmon Creek Interchange Project will reduce traffic congestion and improve safety in the fast-growing Salmon Creek area by constructing a new I-5 interchange at NE 139th Street, increasing capacity at the I-205 northbound off-ramp to NE 134th Street, and constructing other local road improvements to enhance regional connectivity between Vancouver, Clark County, I-5 and I-205.

The project is scheduled for construction in late 2010 if Right-of Way is acquired, environmental permits are obtained and the remaining funding is secured. Construction is anticipated to be complete in late 2013.

Find more project information at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i5/NE134thI205/ or call the project office at (360) 905-1500, or toll free at (877) 624-7169.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information
Individuals requiring reasonable accommodations may request written materials in alternate formats, sign language interpreters, physical accessibility accommodations, or other reasonable accommodations by contacting Abbi Russell at (360) 905-2058. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the event sponsor through the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1. 

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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