Motorists navigate the intersection of Northeast 179th Street and Northeast 29th Avenue, one of two intersections planned for improvements in the county Northeast 179th Street project. A large development of almost 300 apartments is under construction about 10 blocks west of the intersection. (The Columbian files)
Clark County Public Works is hosting three in-person and one virtual listening session about the 179th Street access management and circulation plan at the end of June and the start of July. The sessions will provide a forum for residents to ask questions and raise concerns about the handful of projects occurring near the street.
The listening sessions come ahead of the July 18 Clark County Council meeting where council members will consider adopting the 179th Street access management and circulation plan. Public Works Director and County Engineer Ken Lader, Deputy County Manager Amber Emery and county staff will be in attendance.
At the July 18 meeting, the council will consider the Planning Commission’s recommendation to adopt the plan and amendments to the county’s Arterial Atlas. At the hearing, staff will share with the council elements of the plan and how it was developed, and answer councilors’ questions.
Background
The area around 179th Street is experiencing rapid development after the county council lifted the urban holding designation from 2,220 acres near the Interstate 5 interchange north of Vancouver in 2019.
Traffic volumes are expected to increase with the development; the existing road network was not designed to accommodate the increased traffic volume. The Access Management and Circulation Plan works to balance the increased traffic volume with safety and mobility.
Surface street changes on and around Northeast 179th Street have raised the ire of nearby residents who say their concerns are not being taken into account. In June 2022, the county council directed staff to revisit and redouble public outreach efforts after residents said they felt left out of the process.
4:30-6:30 p.m. June 26 to discuss the plan’s elements and impacts for the area west of I-5.
4:30-6:30 p.m. June 27 to discuss the plan’s elements and impacts for the area east of I-5.
6:30-8:30 p.m. June 29 to discuss the plan’s elements and potential impacts to properties immediately adjacent to Northeast 179th Street and upcoming capital projects.
6:30-8:30 p.m. July 6 online listening session to discuss the plan’s elements via Webex.
This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.
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