Live chat with transportation departments set for May 24

Spring is here, and summer is on the horizon, which means it’s time for flaggers, detours, and road construction. Along those lines, we’ve invited representatives from local and regional transportation agencies to chat with Columbian users.

They’ll join Columbian.com users at 4 p.m. May 24. Check out the chat page and sign up for an e-mail reminder.

The local and state public works officials will discuss road construction projects in progress as well as others slated to begin in the summer or fall. The chat is a chance to learn more about what’s going on with the roads in your area or on your commute, and ask any questions you might have about the projects that affect you.

The one exception: The Columbia River Crossing. We know you have strong feelings about the CRC, but the folks attending probably can’t answer your questions about funding, construction, or light rail.

Chat participants will include Jeff Mize, public information outreach manager for Clark County Public Works; Loretta Callahan, public information officer for the city of Vancouver’s Public Works Department; and Abbi Russell, communications manager for the Southwest Region of the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Sign up for an email reminder at www.columbian.com/chat, and come back on May 24 to participate in the event. Login with Facebook, Twitter, OpenID or MySpace will be required to leave questions or comments, but anyone can watch the action.