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THIS PAGE INCLUDES LATEST OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP
AS WELL AS CONTACT INFORMATION

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). 

 

Heavy traffic near Seattle

State Government

AREA LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS

Rep. Andrew Barkis, Dist 2*

(360) 786-7824

Andrew.Barkis@leg.wa.gov

 

Rep. Michael Keaton, Dist 25

(360) 786-7948

michael.keaton@leg.wa.gov

 

Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen, Dist 25

(360) 786-7968 

Cyndy.Jacobsen@leg.wa.gov

 

Rep. Greg Nance, Dist 23*

(360) 786-7842

Greg.Nance@leg.wa.gov

 

Rep. Joshua Penner, Dist 31

(360) 786-7866

joshua.penner@leg.wa.gov

 

Rep. Drew Stokesbary, Dist 31

(360) 786-7846

Drew.Stokesbary@leg.wa.gov

 

Rep Matt Marshall, Dist 2

(360) 786-7912

Matt.Marshall@leg.wa.gov

 

Sen. Jim McCune, Dist 2

(306) 786-7602

Jim.McCune@leg.wa.gov

 

Sen. Phil Fortunato, Dist 31*

(360) 786-7660

phil.fortunato@leg.wa.gov

 

Sen. Chris Gildon, Dist 25

(360) 786-7648

Chris.Gildon@leg.wa.gov

 

* members of Transportation Committee

School bus accident with bus in the ditch along SR162

WSDOT

Always keep emails and letters respectful

(Emails and letters become part of public record)

Richard Warren
SR162 Center Lane Study Project Manager
SR162CTLstudy@wsdot.wa.gov

 

JoAnn Schueler

Planning & programming manager

schuelj@wsdot.wa.gov

 

Steve Roark 

Regional Administrator

steve.roark@wsdot.wa.gov

 

Encourage WSDOT to focus on safety on this short corridor of SR162 between SR410 and Orting city limits.

 

Follow the WSDOT Center-lane Study on this website (first slide) and comment to WSDOT on your concerns about this study if you have any.  The Tehaleh highway to SR162 is scheduled to be completed in 2027.  This will increase volume on SR162 dramatically.

 

Also WSDOT should include making the intersection at 149th St E and SR162 (High Cedars) a controlled intersection.  Volume levels from the residential community and golf club patrons are creating hazardous access and egress conditions on this 50mph stretch of SR162.  The Foothills Trail parallels SR162 and trail users must cross this uncontrolled intersection. 

 

Transportation safety is a state and county priority and this project stands at the forefront of corridors to be impacted by a dramatic increase in traffic and it's resulting threat to driver and pedestrian safety. 

 

We cannot overlook the benefit of a third lane to the evacuation of the Orting Valley from a Mt. Rainier lahar.

Current warning systems will not save valley residents, businesses, and commuters with only two lanes to evacuate thousands in less than an hour.

 

Be respectful and encourage WSDOT to respond to the safety and commute challenges of the SR162 corridor between Sumner and Orting.  

Snow covered trees and historic building along SR162

County Government

We have a great working relationship with Pierce County. We are working to make improvements to existing north/south transportation corridors as well as proposing a new designated east/west corridor to connect the fastest growing area of Pierce County (Bonney Lake plateau) to South Hill and westward. See the related pages on this site and learn more to support our efforts through contacting the County Council members.

 

 

Ryan Mello, County Executive
ryan.mello@piercecountywa.gov

 

Dave Morell, Dist 1

dave.morell@piercecountywa.gov

 

Paul Herrera, Dist 2

paul.herrera@piercecountywa.gov

 

Amy Cruver, Dist 3

amy.cruver@piercecountywa.gov

 

Rosie Ayala, Dist 4

rosie.ayala@piercecountywa.gov

 

Bryan Yambe, Dist 5

brian.yambe@piercecountywa.gov

 

Jani Hitchen, Dist 6,

jani.hitchen@piercecountywa.gov

 

Robyn Denson, Dist 7

robyn.denson@piercecountywa.gov

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