Letter from the Mayor - Current Traffic Conditions
From the Desk of
Mayor Will Finn
September 7, 2023
Re: Current Traffic Conditions
Dear Woodland Community,
I want to address current traffic issue plaguing our city. We have construction and maintenance being performed in high traffic areas within the city by contractors and Washington State Department of Transportation. Due to safety concerns surrounding roadway workers and other motoring traffic, we have had to close a portion of the roadway at West Scott Avenue to ensure public safety. This of course is creating extended travel times.
First and foremost, it is always the city’s intent to create as little impact as possible. In this particular case, it was unavoidable. Due to the actions of a few, the majority is experiencing the impact created by others decisions. During recent lane closures, some motorists did not follow the traffic control or flagger instructions, creating head-on situations with oncoming motorists and putting workers at risk. This happened on a number of occasions and the decision was made to stop the alternating lane of traffic and close the roadway completely.
Since this decision, we continued to see a rise in the same behavior by few, only this time using privately owned property fields as a way around the designated detour. This of course creates additional issues with property owners and the need to now staff the area with police officers, increasing the cost of the project to Woodland taxpayers to the tune of $20,000.
I know this is not the most convenient of situations, my family is also impacted by the decision to close the roadway at West Scott Avenue. We are asking for your patience and grace as we get the project completed.
Sincerely,
Will
West Scott Full Depth Reclamation FAQ Sheet
Current Scheduled Road Closures on W. Scott Ave/Guild Road | Woodland Washington
What is closed and how long will the closure last?
9/7 – 9/14 – West Scott from N Pekin to westside of Down River Drive will be fully closed for construction. Please continue to monitor our website and Facebook page for up-to-date closures. Construction can be a fluid process and flexibility is needed. www.ci.woodland.wa.us
Why is the roadway closed and flagging alternation traffic not being done?
Due to safety issues created by some motorists, the roadway was closed to avoid head-on collisions and injury to roadway workers. Some motorists were not following flaggers during the flagging of alternating traffic. Additionally, a full closure was needed periodically to allow the cement-treated base, the material being used, to cure before being travel upon. Due to the safety concerns and curing process, it was decided to close the road completely, giving the contractor a safe environment and time to get the project completed.
What is being completed and who is paying for it?
A number of improvements are being completed from Schurman Way to Pacific Avenue along West Scott Avenue. The City of Woodland received multiple grants to complete and upgrade this area. The improvements include a full-depth reclamation (grind & overlay), curb, gutter, and sidewalk additions ($2.75M project, 10% match from city), pedestrian crossing over BNSF railway (WSDOT $700K grant, $0 from the city), replacement of asbestos waterline (Federal Government $400K, $0 from the city). The City of Woodland will contribute $275,000 towards the $3.85 million dollar project. There is additional funding being provided by a Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grant.
Why aren’t you focusing on other roadways?
The City of Woodland is focused on the transportation system within the city. There are a number of roadways the city is focused on fixing and upgrading. However, funding those roadways is limited. Similar to the West Scott Avenue project, the city is attempting to leverage local tax dollars towards grants to bring outside funding to area projects. Keep in mind that these are major projects take years of funding, design, and construction to complete.
- Exit 21 – The city is engineering the plans selected by city council through funding from Cowlitz County and WSDOT. The city has applied for federal and state construction funding three times but denied. The city is currently working on bringing the project to a “shovel ready” status with the outside funding from Cowlitz County and WSDOT.
- North Pekin – Funding denied. City has reapplied for outside funding.
- South Pekin – Funding denied. City has reapplied for outside funding.
- State Route 503 – Denied funding three times, however, WSDOT will be completing sidewalks and repaving in 2025.
- Gun Club Road Paving – Funding denied. City has reapplied.
- Gun Club Road Sidewalks – City granted funding for pedestrian improvements. Construction estimated to begin in spring of 2024.
- Lakeshore Drive – Seeking funding for phase 2 (Park Road to Pinkerton Road). Phase one (Goerig Street to Park) completed in spring of 2023.
- Park Road Improvements – Seeking funding. The city is currently in the design and engineering phase for Park Road. These improvements will create a safer line of sight, additional parking spaces, curb, gutter, and sidewalks.
