32nd Street Safety Enhancements

Project Overview

The City of Washougal is moving forward with important safety upgrades along 32nd Street, aimed at improving visibility, reducing crash risk, and enhancing pedestrian access. These improvements are guided by the City’s 2022 Local Road Safety Plan, which identified this corridor as the highest priority for safety investments based on data analysis and community input.

Why 32nd Street?

32nd Street was selected for this project due to a combination of safety concerns and community feedback:

• Crash history and roadway risk factors
• Narrow shoulders and limited sidewalks
• Steep grades with minimal roadside protection
• Lack of guardrails near homes
• Speeding concerns on a 35 mph corridor

These conditions, coupled with citizen input, ranked 32nd Street as the top safety concern in the City’s prioritization process.

Planned Improvements

The project will focus on several targeted safety measures along 32nd Street, particularly from W Street north to the City limits:

• Profiled Centerline Pavement Markings
  Raised striping to improve driver awareness and reduce head-on collision risk.
• Profiled Edge Line Markings
  Audible and vibratory edge lines to alert drivers who drift from their lane.
• New Guardrail Installation
  Along the east side of 32nd Street, from 160 feet south of Y Street to 700 feet north of Y Street, providing critical roadside protection.
• Supplemental Lighting
  Upgraded illumination to meet WSDOT standards, improving nighttime visibility.
• Enhanced Crosswalks and ADA Improvements
  Crosswalk upgrades and improved accessibility at SE 34th Street and other key points.

Community Benefits

Residents and road users can expect:

• Improved driver awareness and visibility
• Reduced likelihood of lane departure crashes
• Safer pedestrian crossings
• ADA-compliant routes for increased accessibility
• Enhanced protection for adjacent homes and properties

Project Budget & Funding

• Total Project Budget: $1,022,000
• Funding Sources:
• Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant: $896,000
• Transportation Impact Fees (TIF): $126,000

Thanks to the HSIP grant awarded in 2022, the City can complete this project without a local match, provided construction is obligated by April 2025.

Project Timeline

• Bid Opening: October 17, 2025
• Construction Start: December 2025
• Estimated Completion: April 2026

During construction, 32nd Street will remain open, but temporary lane and sidewalk closures will be necessary as work progresses.

Community Engagement & Notifications

No formal public meetings are scheduled at this time. However, the City will notify nearby residents of any major construction impacts or access changes in advance.

Stakeholders & Partners

This project is a collaborative effort between:

• City of Washougal
• Residents along 32nd Street
• Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Questions

For questions or more information, please contact the City of Washougal Public Works Department.