2024-07-22-minutes-public-works-&-cds-study-session

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KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: July 22, 2024 TOPIC: Interstate 90 Corridor Easton to Cle Elum Feasibility Study ACTION REQUESTED: None Required LEAD STAFF: Joshua Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: No action required. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Interstate 90 traffic bypasses slowdowns by using County road network. • Feasibility study performed to identify alternatives. • Two primary alternatives have been identified: 1. Widening I-90 to the inside 2. Constructing a reversible lane • Next steps are to pursue environmental phases. BACKGROUND: For the past several years, Kittitas County has experienced an increase of Interstate 90 (I- 90) traffic bypassing onto local roads during 1-90 closures and slowdowns. This was confirmed through the efforts of the Upper County Traffic Committee (UCTC) and traffic engineering consultant Fehr & Peers. When developing a project for traffic calming devices, it was identified that I-90 traffic was working to bypass slowdowns and backups on I-90 by using the County road network. Public Works subsequently proposed a feasibility study and allocated funding on the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) in 2022. Through a competitive Statement of Qualifications process consulting services of SCJ Alliance were secured in July 2022. DISCUSSION: Kittitas County sought to understand and identify the effective manner to address I-90 traffic bypassing onto local roadways between Easton (MP 70) to Cle Elum/SR 970 (MP 85). Current State efforts include widening I-90 west of Easton (MP 70). The County identified this location as a possible bottleneck, as there is not a location for traffic to disperse at Easton.