The West Main Street Realignmentproject runs from the Allen Street Bridge on the west end of Allen Street, to the west city limits of Kelso at West Cowlitz Way. The Realignment Project stems from growing traffic, congestion and accidents along the corridor.
The goal of the project is to redevelop the streets in the area to deal with those issues, and at the same time provide a desirable business friendly environment. While somewhat competing ends, there are a number of ways to approach them for the best compromise.
Several studies have been completed over the past eight years, all looking to address the different issues. The Council has selected Alignment 3A as the alternative for primary focus and has directed the Consulting Team to proceed with preliminary design and the necessary environmental documents.
Future Direction
The West Main Realignment Project is carrying forward to:
Develop the supporting environmental documents;
Develop engineering plans, estimates and specifications for construction; and
Build the project.
The engineering consulting firm of Otak, Inc. is continuing with this work. The final corridor plan was delivered in late May 2010, with Alternative 3A as the alignment to focus its efforts on. As the Otak team moves forward with preliminary design, working closely with City staff, there will continue to be opportunities for public input into the process. While we are now developing information for the environmental reviews and processes, that work must be completed before the Council makes a final decision on the preferred option. When that decision is made, we anticipate final design work to begin on at least part of the selected solution.
It should be noted that the current economic climate has made the Council’s decisions even more challenging than would normally be anticipated on a project of this magnitude. As they consider the options, they are faced with the requirement that once an agency signs a federal aid project and begins to spend the funds, they are obligated to complete a useful project or be faced with repaying the federal funds.
We will continue to update this project web site when significant elements of the project are considered and completed, and advise you with an email if you wish. It will provide the Citizens of Kelso the opportunity to both watch the development of the project, and an avenue to provide feedback. If you would like to receive notices when updates are posted, and/or significant issues are being addressed, you may send an email to the City of Kelso. We will be happy to include you on our email list!
Al King, P.E., Project Manager
City of Kelso / H. W. Lochner
