Local residents had a chance to voice their opinions last week on an estimated $1.2 billion worth of improvements to Interstate 5 in Skagit County.

The projected upgrades, which include adding weave lanes between freeway exits, replacing the Skagit River bridge and other costly endeavors, would be implemented once funding becomes available.

Planned projects span from Exit 224 near Hickox Road north to the Cook Road Exit 232.

The department’s master plan for the I-5 corridor has been in the works since July 2005, said Todd Carlson, planning and engineering services manager for WSDOT. At that time, the state-run transportation entity received funds to hire a contracting firm to design the proposal.

After nearly three years of working with community members and government officials, the department could adopt the plan this fall.

“It’s almost better to do it a little slower to give people a chance to give us more input,” Carlson said.

The Federal Highway Commission must also approve the plan.

From there, priorities will be determined by need and by local municipalities, Carlson said. Certain projects, he said, such as a proposed Kincaid Street interchange overhaul, will be more difficult to begin work on than others due to the area in which it’s located.

During an open house last Tuesday at the Burlington Public Library, WSDOT staff answered questions from interested attendees.

Bow resident Larry Mowrer said he thinks WSDOT projects in Whatcom and Skagit counties have been largely ignored in recent years, adding that he would like to see additional lanes constructed on I-5.

Although Mowrer said he doesn’t want to see more growth in the county, he understands why the county would do the projects.

“If they don’t spend it here, they’ll spend it somewhere else,” he said.

According to WSDOT, the major changes stem from safety concerns. Between 2003-2005, 463 crashes occurred on or near local I-5 ramps. In addition, 17 of the 30 interchange ramps are too short.

Proposed projects would be implemented within the next 30 years.