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PORT OF RIDGEFIELD PARTNERS WITH WSDOT & HITS PAYDIRT!
8/3/2009 12:00:00 AM
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Port of Ridgefield have reached an agreement that will permit excess soil from the construction of a new interchange at I-5 and SR-501 (Pioneer Street) to be used for fill at the Port’s waterfront cleanup and redevelopment site on Lake River.
“This is truly a win-win scenario for the Port, WSDOT and particularly the taxpayers and residents of the Port district”, said Randy Mueller, Director of Business Development for the Port. “Bringing the excess soil to the riverfront site will save hundreds of thousands of dollars in the construction of the interchange and it will provide benefits for the Port as well. We estimate that over 150,000 cubic yards of fill will be brought to the Lake River site, stockpiled and later used for capping and filling of the area as our cleanup and redevelopment move forward. We are receiving the clean fill dirt at no cost to the Port, and that’s a very good price.” continued Mueller. “Soil samples taken at the interchange site were tested and the results reviewed by Washington State Department of Ecology, so we know that all of the materials coming to the Port are entirely suitable for the Lake River location. To purchase this much clean fill for our cleanup and redevelopment project would have cost us millions of dollars,” added Brent Grening, Executive Director of the Port.
The I-5, SR 501 Ridgefield Interchange project will be constructed in two stages. Construction on Stage 1 is scheduled to begin in September, and will improve safety and mobility by reconstructing the SR 501 interchange at I-5. Reconstruction work includes widening the interchange from two lanes to four, adding turn lanes and building sidewalks for pedestrian and bicycle travel.
Stage 1 is completely funded through $13 million in pre-existing and 2005 gas tax funds as well as $11 million in grants and local agency funds. It received $10 million in 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds earlier this year, and is the largest transportation project in Southwest Washington funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This will allow WSDOT to begin constructing the project earlier than anticipated, and the project is expected to be complete in late 2011 or early 2012.
About the Port of Ridgefield
The Port of Ridgefield was formed in 1940 and is charged with bringing economic development to the greater Ridgefield area. The Port district covers approximately 57 square miles, represents over 15,000 constituents and is led by three elected commissioners: Joe Melroy, Bruce Wiseman, and Scott Hughes. The Port is currently involved with the environmental cleanup and redevelopment of the Ridgefield waterfront, the Ridgefield I-5 interchange, the Pioneer Street Railroad Overpass and other community job-creating projects.
Public meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at Port offices located at 111 W Division St. Ridgefield WA. Meetings start at 10:00 AM. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information about the Port, visit www.portridgefield.org or:
Contact: Michael Williams
Marketing & Communications Manager
360.887.3873
mwilliams@portridgefield.org