WASHOUGAL — The town of Washougal obtained a $2.06 million grant from the Washington State Division of Transportation that may enhance security on a busy part of thirty ninth Road close to Washougal Excessive Faculty.
“We’re super excited,” Washougal Metropolis Engineer Scott Collins stated. The necessity to add sidewalks and different security enhancements to thirty ninth Road was one of many metropolis’s greatest transportation points.
“It has been a priority for the council, especially with not only the high school there, but also Gause Elementary School, our permit center and the golf course,” Collins stated.
“There’s a large neighborhood to the east, so a lot of kids are just walking along the shoulders,” he stated. “I see kids walking, with no sidewalks, on the shoulder, (close to) cars.”
The venture, which the town estimates will value $2.58 million, will embrace sidewalks and bicycle lanes, speedy flashing beacons at crosswalks, lighting enhancements, pace advisory indicators and pace bumps on the east facet of thirty ninth Road between Evergreen Freeway and J Road.
The town hopes to start development in early 2027.
The road presently encompasses a marked crossing to permit golfers to stroll or drive golf carts throughout the road to proceed rounds.
Collins stated that whereas a serious accident has but to happen within the space, the town was nervous concerning the future if the road isn’t upgraded.
“We have concerns from a site visibility standpoint if someone’s crossing or on the side of the street,” he stated.
Secure Routes to Faculty
The town will contribute about $500,000 to the venture. The $2.06 million grant comes from the state’s Secure Routes to Faculty program, which offers funding to public businesses to enhance circumstances and encourage youngsters to stroll and bike to highschool.
The grant award received’t grow to be official till later this yr, when the Washington Legislature establishes its transportation funds, based on Collins.