IATC Advocates for Safety, Wildlife, and Recreational Access in Letter to WSDOT
The IATC is currently advocating to include a critical interchange at Tiger Summit, safe crossings for wildlife, and recreational access. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build infrastructure that supports safety, recreation, and ecosystems. We sent the following letter to WSDOT:
Attn: Mark Allison, Lead WSDOT Project Engineer
First and foremost, we are thankful for all the work that your team has put into addressing safety, wildlife and recreation in the planning of the SR-18 Deep Creek to Issaquah Hobart Road project thus far. This project represents a once in a generation opportunity to build the right infrastructure. Based on what is presented on the WSDOT website, we appreciate the inclusion of:
Fish passage for critical salmon ecosystems
Plans for additional lanes and straightening to address safety concerns
Ongoing and planned work at the I-90 and Hwy 18 interchange
We are writing to ask for more clarity regarding wildlife passage infrastructure and to strongly urge the inclusion of a Tiger Summit interchange in this planning process.
Wildlife: We want to better understand whether the current plan addresses large mammal passages which affect both the ecosystem and traveler safety. We know from the work done by WSDOT on I-90 that increasing the bridge deck and fencing can be incorporated for a win-win for people and wildlife. If the project design does not address these issues it will lead to the development of a wall across the Issaquah Alps which once built cannot be easily modified. Please clarify how the planned bridges will support this wildlife need.
Tiger Summit interchange: The current plan, which we realize faces budget constraints, will build a divider across the road requiring vehicles to travel one direction adding additional travel time, GHG emissions and safety concerns. This is not an adequate long term solution and planning for the interchange should be included at this juncture.
Recreation: Tiger summit is a central trailhead that currently sees significant traffic from hikers and mountain bikers. The absence of an interchange is incongruent with this recreation resource.
Working Forest: Tiger and Taylor Mountains have state Trust Lands that are important revenue sources for public education and other services. It is critical that we build infrastructure to allow this industry to work efficiently and safely. The current design does not do this.
Industry: Tiger Summit is home to significant communication and technology infrastructure for our region. Maintenance access to this area is necessary and would be better serviced, and safer, with an interchange. Furthermore, with the extent of truck traffic in this area we believe an interchange will best suit this industry as well.
Thank you for listening to our concerns and considering these community priorities. We look forward to seeing the updated designs and welcome the opportunity to speak with you more directly to ensure this project serves the safety, mobility, recreation access, and ecology of the Issaquah Alps.
David Dunphy, President
Lindsay Frickle, Executive Director
C: Mark Mullet mark.mullet@leg.wa.gov Bill Ramos bill.ramos@leg.wa.gov Lisa Callan lisa.callan@leg.wa.gov