Fourth option for 191st SE extension

The city of Monroe has added another option to the 191st Avenue Southeast extension project.

If chosen, the route would be the longest of the four proposals, but potentially have the smallest price tag at $1.2 million, less than half the next lowest estimate. It also would be the most bare bones, with only one traffic lane heading each direction — no sidewalks, no bike lanes.

“Whatever section we choose, I think it does have to have that walkway and bicycle access,” said City Councilmember Jeff Rasmussen. “Whichever way we go, it just makes sense for continued growth, and for a healthy-living community.”

The city had initially been considering three possible routes for connecting 191st Avenue Southeast to Chain Lake Road, which is being proposed to ease congestion at Rainier View and Chain Lake roads.

Scott Peterson, senior engineer for Monroe’s Public Works Department, presented the list of possibilities to the city council during its Tuesday meeting. Each option carries its own complications and benefits; all would curb congestion and add a backup escape route for residents.

“We have comments from people who live in the neighborhood that it would be valuable to have a second way in and out,” Peterson said. “You might recall that a number of years ago there was a fire right at the entrance at Rainier View and, because there was a fire there, there were people who lived in the back of Rainier View that weren’t able to get home for a number of hours... If there had been an emergency at that time, it would have been difficult getting emergency vehicles in there while also taking care of the emergency at the entrance.”

He said the first route would end at the tip of Galaxy Way. It would be the shortest at approximately 1,600 feet, but most expensive. Estimates fall between $4.1 million to $4.8 million due to the amount of earthwork required.

Councilmember Jim Kamp said he is “opposed to having a funnel straight down the hill into the North Kelsey (Street) nightmare,” an already strained road that intersects Galaxy Way behind Fred Meyer.

The second route would end at the roundabout on Chain Lake Road, and require much less earthwork. It would result in lower costs, between $3.2 million to $4.1 million, Peterson said. However, it could be quite impactful on sensitive wetlands. All routes, however, will likely pass through some sort of sensitive area, he said.

“The goal is to always minimize sensitive areas impacts because mitigation does cost money,” Peterson said.

The third route would end at the intersection of Chain Lake and Mountain View roads, would also be less earthwork, and is estimated between $2.7 million to $3.2 million.

Peterson said the route might also have some trouble with increased traffic. The Chain Lake roundabout is the only intersection he knows for certain was planned to handle more growth.

Standard and alternative road section concepts have been designed for each of the first three route proposals. A standard route would include two car lanes, sidewalks and bicycle lanes. An alternative route would have two car lanes and sidewalks.

Peterson said a fourth “get them there quick, no frills kind of road section” has only been designed as a rural route, with just two car lanes. He said it would have the least impact to sensitive wetlands areas, but have steep road grades — up to 17 percent — and sharper corners that would compromise driver comfort.

All routes would pass through the Washington State Department of Transportation U.S. Highway 2 Bypass corridor, and so would require heavy involvement from the agency, Peterson said. So far, they seem to be on board, he said. Other organizations may have a stake and need to weigh in as well.

If it moves forward, the project will take about 3-4 years to complete, according to a council agenda bill. Mayor Geoffrey Thomas said the process has begun now, so by next year the cost estimates will be known and the city can start seeking out potential grant options.

“We are the drivers, it’s coming out of our pockets, unless we can find a funding source,” Peterson said.

Finding a new way out has been a long time coming.

Councilmember Jason Gamble, who lives near the area up for review, said years ago a housing developer had assumed the role of adding a new route, Frontage Road 7, but was unable to follow through due to the economic downturn.

“We owe it to the people that live in there to come up with, at least with a plan,” Gamble said.

The city will host an open house for the project on Thursday, Jan. 26.