Work on NE 72nd Avenue requires relocation of numerous utilities, including power poles and lines. The project will be complete by late 2008.
Project Number: 310122
Project Limits: NE 72nd Avenue from NE 88th Street to NE 110th Street
Current Phase: Construction started in November 2007
Project Type: Widening existing two-lane road to a five-lane Principal Arterial
NE 72nd Avenue Project Description
This project will widen NE 72nd Avenue to a 5-lane Principal Arterial configuration with four travel lanes, a continuous left turn lane, bike lanes, planter strips and sidewalks. Currently the roadway has two lanes, no median and an approximate one-foot shoulder.
Drainage improvements, railroad work, and other utility modifications (sewer and water) will be included in the project. The intersection of NE 72nd Avenue and NE St. Johns Road will also be reconfigured and a new signal installed as part of a separate project along St. Johns Road. The speed limit has been reduced to 25 mph throughout the project area for the safety of motorists and construction workers. This lower speed limit will remain in place throughout the project. Construction will be complete by late 2008
Why is Clark County doing this project?
The current roadway is inadequate to serve the needs of this growing area of the county. This project will reduce traffic congestion while meeting the safety needs of the traveling public including bicyclists and pedestrians. A companion project along NE St. Johns Road will further improve travel in this area. The St. Johns project contractor has already cleared along the east side of the 72nd Avenue project area to facilitate utilities relocation. Construction work on NE 72 Avenue road improvements began the week of November 19, 2007.
Actual road widening will be only on the east side. That area has already been cleared, and work to relocate utilities and install piping is underway.
Environmental Information
Both the St. Johns and NE 72nd Ave. roadway improvement projects affect wetlands. Local, state and federal environmental regulations require mitigation for these impacts.
Building wetland mitigation includes digging out existing soil to drop the ground elevation and allow water to pond slightly and create a higher quality wetland. After the surface grading is done, several thousand native plants will be installed, maintained, and monitored for a period of ten years. The grading and planting plan was thoroughly reviewed by permitting agencies over the course of several years.
Latest Project Information
Project Manager: Jean Singer, (360) 397-6118 Ext. 4823; E-mail jean.singer@clark.wa.gov
Construction Manager: Glen Bedell, (360) 397-6118 Ext. 4946; E-mail glen.bedell@clark.wa.gov
