WASHOUGAL — Washougal metropolis leaders are optimistic they’ll be capable to fund the thirty second Road rail crossing undertaking regardless of value estimates coming in as a lot as $20 million greater than initially projected.
Metropolis engineer Scott Collins stated the undertaking is now estimated to value between $69 and $80 million, a leap from the town’s authentic estimate of $60 million.
“We were targeting a June 2024 meeting with the state’s project review committee,” Collins stated on the metropolis council’s Nov. 4 workshop. Nevertheless, a couple of week earlier than the assembly, the town obtained a higher-than-anticipated value estimate from guide agency WSP.
“We felt we had to pull the application because we wanted to do some thorough analysis before we move forward,” Collins stated.
The undertaking goals to reconnect Washougal’s Addy Road neighborhood with downtown and the port of Camas-Washougal by reconstructing 5 intersections alongside thirty second Road. The undertaking features a new railroad bridge and underpass between Essential Road/B Road and Evergreen Approach.
The U.S. Division of Transportation’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program will fund $40 million of the undertaking, with the state contributing $5 million. Metropolis officers have already pledged to make use of as much as $4.82 million of native funds for the undertaking.
Scott stated he’s nonetheless assured the undertaking can transfer ahead.
Town has chosen a progressive design construct course of, which means one contractor will design and assemble the undertaking.
The method will verify value estimates and supply design and building options to cut back prices and impacts, Collins stated.
In March, the town will choose a crew, which is able to start design work within the second quarter of 2025 and begin building within the second quarter of 2027. Development can be full by the 2029, in line with a timeline on the town’s web site.
The primary process for the crew shall be to conduct a feasibility examine, in line with Robynne Thaxton, with Thaxton Parkinson, a Woodinville-based legislation and consulting agency.
“Once we get through this feasibility study, we will have a deep understanding of, hopefully, a very feasible way forward,” Thaxton stated on the Nov. 4 workshop.
The crew will then start a validation section and collaborate with the town to confirm the undertaking’s program, scope, schedule and funds, together with main dangers.