“East/West Connectivity Study”

 

PIERCE COUNTY E/W CONNECTION STUDY TITLED; 

"ORTING VALLEY E/W CORRIDOR STUDY"

 THIS STUDY WILL LOOK AT THREE ALTERNATIVES FOR AN E/W CORRIDOR
TO CONNECT THE BONNEY LAKE AND SOUTH HILL PLATEAUS

 

STUDY WILL LOOK AT 3 OPTIONS

  1. Connecting 128th St E from SR162 to Reservoir Road/128th St E  (preferred to create direct E/W corridor to SR7)

    1. SEE MAP HERE

  2. Connecting 128th St E from SR162 to 144th St E to 122 Ave E 

  3. Improvements to the existing Military Road

    1. Widening Military Rd/122 st E from SR162 to Shaw Rd

    2. Adding climbing lane from SR162 to Old Military Rd

      • Creating 4 lanes from Old Military Rd/122 St E to Shaw Rd

      • Plus Intersection improvements

STUDY TIMELINE

  • First phase to begin in February of 2026

  • Phase 1: 1.5 yrs (consultant, geological, option selection)  FUNDED

  • Phase 2: 1.5 yrs (engineering, EIS, design, council)  NOT FUNDED

  • Phase 3: 5 yrs (contractor award, buildout)  NOT FUNDED

FUNDING

  • The most difficult part of any proposed transportation project is funding

  • There are many grant sources but each have their own criteria

  • It will take a commitment of the County executive and County council to appropriate a majority of the funding to complete this project

  • We will make every effort to convince them and help to advocate funding from other agencies and sources

  • So when you see a project unfunded, you can add a couple years or more to acquire the necessary funding to bring the project to life

  • Not to be negative, just be thankful when funding is achieved, many projects sit on the shelf without ever seeing funding.

This group advocated for an E/W corridor from the Bonney Lake plateau to the South Hill plateau to include the extension of 128th St E west.  Why?

  • The 4-lane highway from Tehaleh to SR162 will be completed in 2027 or 2028.

  • Projected traffic increases over the next 15 years, weighted heavily in the next 5 will

    • ADD 20,000 vehicles per day traveling east/west (Military Rd or extended 128th St E)

    • ADD 30,000 vehicles traveling north/south per day on SR162 from 128th St E to SR410

  • The earliest E/W connection will not be completed as far out as 2040

    • We have been warning about this coming crisis and have made progress convincing agencies to improve and add corridors 

  • Some of the leadership of this group will never see our efforts come to be, but we know that it has to be done for future generations

WE CONTINUE TO NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT

  • Join our group on Facebook and/or follow us periodically on this website for updates and announcements

  • Particpate in public comment opportunities

  • Let our transportation crisis be known to agencies, staff, and your acquaintances

  • Volunteer as a member of our leadership team (we need your level of expertise to continue our efforts)

  • Voice your opinions and questions in the comments on Facebook or in an email from this site

  • We cannot do this without your help and appreciate all that you have done thus far