G.F. Alt. Route goes to bid

JOURNAL STAFF The receipt of federal recovery money will allow Snohomish County to put the Granite Falls Alternate Route project out to bid May 13, with construction beginning in July.

This new 1.9-mile, two-lane alternate route will divert truck traffic away from downtown Granite Falls and serve as a strategic freight corridor for the region. The new road will head north from State Route 92 west of Granite Falls, then curve eastward around the town and connect to the Mountain Loop Highway just north of Gun Club Road.

Federal recovery funds totaling $3.5 million complete the funding needs for this $33.7 million project. Other project partners include the state’s Freight Mobility Board, Transportation Improvement Board, federal transportation funds, city of Granite Falls and Snohomish County.

“Already we’re seeing the positive impact of federal recovery funding in Snohomish County and the jobs that this money will create,” Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon said. “This project will benefit the entire region and will be a success because of the multiple partners involved.”

As many as 50 jobs will be created during construction of the bypass. Additional new jobs could occur as Granite Falls moves ahead with downtown redevelopment once the new route is completed.

The bypass will improve freight mobility, reduce congestion and improve public safety. More than 4.5 million tons of aggregate is trucked annually through downtown Granite Falls to points throughout northwest Washington, causing major congestion, safety and pollution problems.

The idea for the project originated with representatives from Arlington in 1994. It is the culmination of efforts at city, county, state and federal levels as well as with the assistance of local businesses and residents.

The Snohomish County region, including its cities and transit agencies, is expected to receive about $15 million in economic recovery funding for public works projects. When leveraged with other funding sources, such as state grants and developor mitigation fees, these projects will provide more than $54 million in countywide improvements.

The economic recovery funding will create jobs now and represents a wide range of projects across municipal and agency boundaries within Snohomish County. Projects include fish passage culvert improvements, pedestrian and bikeway safety improvements, as well as the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Interstate 5 at 196th Street Southwest.

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