WSDOT NEW EAST/WEST CORRIDOR STUDY
STUDY UPDATE
WSDOT PUBLIC COMMENT OPEN HOUSE
Visit engage.wsdot.wa.gov to make public comments on what they call the "South Pierce County Miltimodal Connectivity Study. This is the study that considers the need for an additional east west transportation corridor connecting SR162 with I-5 across the South Hill plateau. This is to relieve congestion on SR512 and the east west travels on South Hill from major developments (Tehaleh, Sunrise, and many new ones) in Southeast Pierce County. Comment period is December 1-16, 2022.
WSDOT STAKEHOLDERS MEETING
The first study stakeholders meeting was held on July 11, 2022. The meeting included an overview of the study (purpose, scope, study area, and schedule). Here is the study schedule:
Summer 2022: data gathering, model development, performance metrics
Fall 2022: Environmental review, develope draft studies
Winter 2022/2023: refine and further analyze improvements
Spring 2023: Priritize improvements for implementation and funding requests
June 2023: Study results
THE STUDY
As you know the study is tasked to find a feasible east/west connection from SR162 to Interstate 5 parallel to SR512, crossing the South Hill plateau. East Pierce County is one of the fastest growing residentual areas in Washington State. Infrastructure has fallen behind this rapid growth. This state and county collaboration is a needed move to address these shortcomings. We commend their efforts.
WSDOT IS STUDY LEAD AGENCY
WSDOT will be the lead agency and originally contracted a consulting firm to begin study from SR161 to I-5 across the South Hill Plateau westward. With the addition of the legislative approved extension of this study to SR162, the consulting group will be reconfiguring their study to include this extension.
The study is scheduled to begin with this extension included this coming July 2022. At that time it is expected that stake holders will be selected as part of the study. We hope to be included as a stake holder.
PIERCE COUNTY HAS BEGUN IT'S OWN STUDY
Pierce County Public Works has already performed a computer model study on the extension of 128th St E to the South Hill plateau. We have heard the study rendered favorable results. We have yet to see the data results to expand further. Obviously, this is a good news, making this corridor a possible candidate for the WSDOT east/west corridor.
