The Washington State Department of Transportation is working with the cities of Auburn and Enumclaw, King County, the Muckleshoot Tribe and the Puget Sound Regional Council on a study to analyze the possibility of adding a bypass between State Route 164 and State Route 18 in Auburn.
The state Legislature directed WSDOT to develop a list of improvement options that addressed the transportation problems on SR 164. WSDOT developed the list with a group of representatives from along the highway.
The list of potential improvements includes adding a bypass between SR 164 and SR 18 in Auburn to address congestion issues at the interchange. In 2006, the Legislature provided $500,000 to further analyze the option.
A rising number of commuters are taking SR 164, a rural route, which also serves as a freight connector in southeast King County. Drivers on the highway experience safety issues due to increasing congestion.
The Bypass Feasibility Study will document how ramp reconfiguration or potential new alignments address congestion and emergency vehicle access.
The study also will provide recommendations on whether any of the improvements could be carried forward into a more detailed environmental review process such as an Environmental Impact Statement or an Environmental Assessment, if funding becomes available.
A bypass option at SR 18 and SR 164 would alleviate traffic congestion at the SR 18/SR 164 interchange and help minimize the traffic impacts from the White River Amphitheatre.
WSDOT is seeking public comment regarding the study. To participate, the public can use the online comment form or contact Project Manager Jean Mabry at 206-464-1266
to discuss suggestions.
