PROJECT SCHEDULE

WINTER 2 0 0 1 | Traffic analysis begins Base mapping begins EASTSIDE Introductory Open House held Newsletter #1 published for more info... Key stakeholders interviewed CORRIDOR visit www.eastsidecorridor.org SPRING 2 0 0 1 | Stakeholder workshop held or call Terry Mattson Newsletter #2 published at 509/667-2860 Introductory Scoping Meeting held or -mail to finding solution

SUMMER 2 0 0 1 | Environmental analysis begins [email protected] 20 conceptual alternatives developed or send him a letter at Newsletter #3 published Project Engineer Office wsdot to enhance safety Final Scoping Meeting held 2830 Euclid Avanue Wenatchee, WA 98801 and increase mobility FALL 2 0 0 1 | 4 selected alternatives developed

WINTER 2 0 0 2 | Preferred Alternative chosen he Washington State Department of Transportation (wsdot) Newsletter #4 published Tis committing $3 Million dollars to enhance safety and increase mobility in East Wenatchee urban area. The purpose of the Eastside SPRING 2 0 0 2 | Draft EIS published Corridor effort is to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), a Draft EIS Public Hearing held detailed study which examines the environmental impacts of the alterna- tives under consideration for improving north–south traffic flow east of FALL 2 0 0 2 | Final EIS published the Columbia River. (See detailed explanation of the EIS process on next page.) The end result of the EIS process is the identification of a preferred alternative that meets the transportation needs of the community and complies with all Federal and State environmental laws. While the problem area that prompted this effort is Sunset Highway (SR-28) between the Odabashian Bridge to the north and the Ninth Street intersection in downtown East Wenatchee to the south, the entire area — from the Columbia River up to Badger Mountain and from Rock Island Dam to Rocky Reach Dam — is being examined in order to find a sr-28 Sunset Highway in East Wenatchee as it is today. solution. Nearly 7,500 vehicles traverse the corridor daily. That’s almost one vehicle every ten seconds, 24 hours a day.

POSTAL CUSTOMER POSTAL A series of open houses, stakeholder workshops, interviews and formal public hearings will held over the course of the next two years to ensure that community ideas are included as alternatives are developed. Several mailings of project newsletters to East Wenatchee residents, businesses, and property owners at major project milestones and a project website round out our outreach efforts. Public involvement will play a key role throughout the process in the selection of a preferred alternative. want to hear from you at every

step along the way, as every voice and opinion is important to finding

Permit No. 1 No. Permit the best solution.

Wenatchee, WA Wenatchee,

Wenatchee, WA 98801 WA Wenatchee,

PAID

2830 Euclid Avanue Euclid 2830

Project Engineer Office Engineer Project US Postage US PRST STD PRST EASTSIDE Help Us Select A Brief History the Best Alternative CORRIDOR of the Corridor

e need your help to complete finding a solution n 1957, the Washington State Department of Transporta- Wan Environmental Impact State- Ition (WSDOT) obtained right-of-way and access control for ment ( a transportation corridor along the Columbia River between air quality EIS). An EIS is an in-depth analy- sis of options under consideration for Baker Flats on the north and Ninth Street in East Wenatchee the Eastside Corridor. The EIS serves a on the south. Various studies have been completed since displacement number of purposes: that time identifying a need for a north–south corridor in the n Identify, analyze, and minimize any greater East Wenatchee area. potential impacts of any proposed In the 1980s, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) economics action; was prepared. The preferred alternative selected was for n Analyze the costs and benefits asso- construction of a roadway parallel to the Columbia River. ciated with the project; As significant portions of the right-of-way lie within 200 energy n Provide the public with opportuni- feet of the Columbia River, necessary permits were obtained ties to review and comment on the from Douglas County and the City of East Wenatchee. The geology project; and issuance of these permits was successfully challenged in n Help decision makers identify the Superior Court, which prohibited construction of the new best possible option. highway within a 200-foot shoreline buffer zone. The project historic resources The study issues include traffic, air was then put on hold. quality, energy, noise and vibration, parks Congestion and safety hazards along Sunset Highway and wetlands, displacement of busi- have only increased since the 1980s, which presents a seri- land use East Wenatchee nesses and houses, visual impact, land ous challenge to the quality of life and economic vitality use, utilities, geology, historic resources, of our community and region. Environmental laws have noise & vibration and economics. The draft EIS must include become much stricter in the past 15 ways to lessen or avoid any significant years. The new EIS study recognizes both impacts that are identified. Wenatchee realities. The goal is to select an alter- parks & wetlands The EIS process will enable the native that will meet the transportation Washington State Department of Trans- needs of the community, make it safer portation, federal and state agencies, for pedestrians and commuters alike, and traffic local municipalities and the community protect the natural resources that make to explore and analyze a wide range of our community an attractive place to live. utilities alternative solutions. As active commu- nity participation plays an integral role in the success of this EIS process, there visual impact will be many opportunities to ensure C olu mb that every voice is heard. Open houses, ia

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workshops, and public hearings will be held at key milestones to solicit com- ê munity input so that the best possible North alternative is selected. study area