People want four lanes from Ephrata to Moses Lake

EPHRATA — More than 60 people dropped into the Ephrata City Hall Monday, providing input on a state Department of Transportation project to construct a four-lane connection between Moses Lake and Ephrata.

Terry Mattson, project engineer for the state Department of Transportation, said public comments overwhelmingly support widening the 16-mile corridor along Highways 17 and 182 connecting the two Grant County communities.

"Most people just wanted to know when" work could begin on the project, Mattson said.

Many of the public's comments Monday focused on the safety created by the project, which is among the state's highest priorities, he said. The benefits of the project include increased highway freight capacity and reduced congestion, Mattson said.

Significant growth is occurring in Grant County, he said, so widening the route is expected to reduce congestion during peak commuting times.

Widening the highways also supports economic development, another driving force behind the project, said Riley Atkins, environmental project manager with David Evans and Associates Inc.

"There's a very strong consensus to move forward with the project," Atkins said.

David Evans and Associates is the consulting firm contracted by the state to complete an environmental study for the project.

"Rocky Ford Creek is a pristine area, we want to minimize any impacts there and make sure we're environmentally sensitive," Atkins said.

The environmental study is scheduled for completion during the summer of 2008.

Mattson said access issues must be resolved. Project officials plan to design intersections to maintain traffic flow, allow for truck turning movements and provide turn pockets.

Engineers must also focus on widening two bridges. One bridge crosses Rocky Ford Creek, the other bridge is used by traffic entering and exiting Ephrata on Highway 282.

The state expects to spend until the end of May of this year analyzing public comment, environmental impacts and access issues, Mattson said. At a second open house in May, the state plans to present its recommendations and solutions to the access and environmental issues.

He said the project would likely take more than four years to complete.

An open house is scheduled for today in Moses Lake at the Big Bend Community College Advanced Technologies Education Center from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.