The Southwest Regional Transportation Council has awarded the city of Washougal $816,250 for the construction of a shared use path along South 27th Street.
The council recently selected eight bike and pedestrian projects within Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties to receive approximately $3.1 million from the federal government’s Transportation Alternatives Program.
“All were community-based projects that expand travel choices, improve the travel experience, and enhance mobility and safety,” according to a news release.
The city is planning to build a separated shared- use path that will connect east Washougal to Captain William Clark Park and the Dike Trail.
City Manager David Scott said the design work is about to start, fully funded by a previous $226,000 grant from the transportation council. Construction will begin after the city identifies an additional $877,250 to complete the project.
“We are exploring other grant funding opportunities to close the remaining gap,” Scott said. “We will also use Transportation Impact Fee revenue as needed for a local match.”
The $1.7 million project will expand bicycle and pedestrian facility connectivity within Washougal and strengthen a “safe and cohesive” active transportation network, according to the City’s Transportation Alternatives Program funding application form.
“Currently there are no existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities connecting eastern Washougal to Captain William Clark Park and the Dike Trail,” the application states. “These recreational facilities are heavily used by the community year-round. This project will close an active transportation gap and provide a safe multi-modal connection. … The proposed project will improve circulation and safety, accommodate mobility for users of all abilities, and enhance the vital linkage between the eastern neighborhoods, a region-wide recreational shared use path, and the (Columbia) River.”
The project will also include stormwater improvements, Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, a crosswalk and rectangular rapid flashing beacon at Index Street, and conduit for future fiber optic facilities.
It also includes funds to install local student artwork along the trail.
“Given Hathaway Elementary School is located near the path, the city would work with its art commission board to develop a competition with the school where students submit a drawing and short paragraph indicating why biking and walking is an important aspect in our community,” the application states. “The board would select the winning drawings from each grade level, and the project would construct signs throughout the path displaying the winning submissions.
The application suggests that every few years, the city could fund a new competition to replace the signs on the path with new entries.
