Yellow Pages
STANWOOD — An $84 million upgrade to a congested stretch of Highway 532 was launched today with an official groundbreaking by local officials, legislators and construction workers.
The two-year 10-mile project includes a wider, safer bridge to replace the 60-year-old General Mark W. Clark Memorial bridge, work at 13 intersections between Camano Island and Interstate 5, new lane space for trucks in three steep sections, paving, street lights and bus pullouts, a state Department of Transportation news release stated.
The project is funded through the state gas tax and other state funds.
During an eight-year period, almost 900 accidents occurred in the area, according to DOT, and more than half were related to congestion.
“These are much-needed improvements that will increase the safety and reliability of our transportation system on SR 532,” Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen said. “We are taking our scarce transportation dollars and efficiently targeting specific safety concerns along the corridor. The results should be felt by everyone that depends on this highway.”
Utility work in the area has already begun, according to DOT, and road work is to start soon. Road construction in Stanwood is not scheduled to begin until next year.
A tree planting was held following remarks from local leaders today. The project will eventually include a 30-acre mitigation site planted with western red cedar, the DOT news release stated.
“Once the mitigation site is complete, the Stillaguamish Tribe will utilize this site to teach its members and the community the value of restoring wetlands and providing places for juvenile salmon to mature,” the release stated about the mitigation site, which is being developed by the tribe.
For more information, visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR532.
• Elliott Wilson can be reached at 360-416-2147 or at .
