Between 1970 and 2000, the population of Yakima’s Terrace Heights neighborhood grew fivefold. As of 2011, the corridor serving the neighborhood had received a D rating due to gaps in safety and high congestion for commuters. To make matters worse, the rating limited the number of development permits the county could issue and housing stock for current and future residents. The East-West Corridor project has been in the works for more than 20 years to address these challenges. It will connect Terrace Heights to Yakima when complete, reducing traffic congestion and improving public safety.
A portion of the new corridor has been completed or is already under construction. Next in line for design is Cascade Mill Parkway Phase 3, and SCJ is partnered with Sargent Engineers on the effort. Together, they will be designing the roadway and pathway, retaining walls, bridges, and connections to the future interstate ramps.
The four-lane road and shared use pathway will run three miles and go over the Yakima River and under I-82. The SCJ-Sargent team will help Yakima County complete the plans, specifications, and estimates. They’ll work with the City of Yakima on roadway and shared use pathway design, Yakima County on the Yakima River bridge, and WSDOT on the I-82 bridges.