Work on two major county road projects is ahead of schedule

Vancouver, WA — Two major road improvement projects that began last year along Northeast St. John’s Road and Northeast 72nd Avenue will be completed ahead of schedule this year, according to Clark County Public Works. Also, utility relocation work has started on Northeast 88th Street.

Northeast St. Johns Road
Paving work is underway this week on St. Johns Road. This project will likely be completed by December, three months ahead of the official schedule.

The St. Johns Road project widens the road from two lanes to five with four travel lanes, raised medians with left turn pockets, bike lanes and sidewalks. Many of the medians will be planted with shrubs and trees this fall. The project will cost more than $21 million when completed, including the addition of two major new wetland areas to manage stormwater runoff from the expanded road surfaces.

Northeast 72nd Avenue
The county expects final paving and road striping to be done on 72nd Avenue in September, although some lane restrictions will remain in place into October. Minor contract work will continue through the end of the year.

This project includes four travel lanes, a continuous left turn lane, bike lanes and sidewalks with planter strips. Workers also reconfigured the intersection with Northeast 72nd Avenue, added a signal to improve safety and improved the existing railroad crossing. Utility improvements, including the installation of new sewer and water pipelines, are part of the project.

This $10.5 million project also includes a water quality facility to manage stormwater runoff located in the new wetland enhancement area along Curtin Creek. About 75 percent of the Curtin Creek Enhancement Area project is funded by Clean Water fees collected annually from county businesses and residences.

Northeast 88th Street
Utility relocation work is also underway on Northeast 88th Street between St. Johns Road and Northeast Andresen. Clark Public Utilities staff is currently moving back power poles and lines, making way for road widening construction that will begin in spring 2009. When completed in fall 2009, the project will have two travel lanes, a center turn lane, sidewalks and bike lanes. Work will also include a stormwater management facility to handle increased runoff from the new roadway. This project will cost about $5.8 million to complete.