THE SR162 CENTER-LANE STUDY CONTINUES AS THE STUDY CONSULTANTS EVALUATE THE RESPONSES FROM THE PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE LAST FALL.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE YOUR OPINION.  IF YOU ARE WONDERING IF IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, WE ARE REQUESTING THE RESULTS OF THOSE COMMENTS.  WE HOPE TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC CONCENSUS IS HEARD AND IF POSSIBLE APPLIED TO THE CREATION OF POSSIBLE  ALTERNATIVES FOR THE CORRIDOR. 

WHAT MUST BE CONSIDERED IS THE ABILITY TO RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE LEGISLATURE IS SOMEWHAT DEPENDENT UPON PROJECT COST AND COMPLIANCE TO THE APPROVAL CRITERIA.  SAFETY IS AT THE TOP OF THAT CRITERIA, WHICH IS THE FOCUS AND HOPEFULLY THE OUTCOME OF THIS STUDY.  THIS WILL HELP US TO SEEK THE FUNDING FOR THE BUILDOUT IN THE 2026 SESSION.

STAY CONNECTED TO THIS  SITE FOR UPDATES ON THIS STUDY AND PROPOSED ALTERNATIVES WHEN THEY ARE DETERMINED.  WE HOPE TO HAVE OUR OWN OPEN HOUSE ON THE SR162 CORRIDOR WHEN THE ALTERNATIVES ARE AVAILABLE TO PRESENT TO THE PUBLIC.  

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE OPEN HOUSE PUBLIC COMMMENT PERIOD.  WSDOT HAS NEVER SEEN THIS KIND OF RESPONSE ON ANY ISSUE BEFORE.  OVER 2000 RESPONSES WERE RECORDED.  IT WAS A COMMUNITIES-WIDE RESPONSE AND VERY EFFECTIVE, THANK YOU AND THE OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS AND JURISDICTIONS THAT PARTICIPATED.

In addition for our ongoing efforts to work with WSDOT to make safety and traffic flow improvements to SR162, we are also working with Pierce County to create and improve alternate corridors to handle traffic volumes.

We are proposing an east/west corridor from the Bonney Lake plateau to SR7 using the existing 128th St E corridor on South Hill and connecting it to the new roadway to Tehaleh at 128th St E/SR162.

This proposal recieved the support of our Pierce County council members in supporting an amendment to the Resolution to amend the Comprehensive Plan to include the 128th St E connection and corridor in the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update.  Council member Morrell introduced the amendment with the aid of Council member Herrera.  Thank you both and thanks to the Council for a unamimous approval.

This connection will have many benefits including removing traffic from SR162.

Upgrading the east Pierce County transportation network is our primary focus now.  This proposal dramatically impacts all commuting corridors such as SR162, 410, 512 and 161 (Meridian).