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Portal Way Interchange Project
Project Summary
This project will improve Portal Way between the northbound Interstate-5 and southbound Interstate-5 interchanges by replacing the northbound compact roundabout with a full-size roundabout including pedestrian and bicycle facilities where none currently exist and upgrading the illumination system as appropriate. The project will also improve and replace the current stormwater system, providing additional stormwater capacity required for development north of the project site.
QUESTIONS: For more information, please contact Katy Radder at (360) 384-4006 or by email.
Project Design
The project is currently in the design phase, with engineers developing plans and specifications needed to reconstruct the roadway and utilities. During this phase, the project team researches and reviews existing conditions, performs an analysis of future needs for traffic volumes, and assesses utility capacity and demand in the future. That information is used to develop the project footprint and improvements needed to construct the new roadway.
Right of Way Acquisition
While Ferndale often owns sufficient right of way width or easements needed to accommodate most planned improvements on its capital projects, it is sometimes necessary to acquire additional property rights to complete the work. Needed additional rights may include partial acquisitions for the widened roadway features and utilities, purchase of utility easements to accommodate operation and maintenance of city infrastructure, temporary construction easements to provide sufficient room for workers to install the planned improvements or restore private property access to the new street and permits to blend the City’s work into existing yards. Those rights are obtained from private landowners in accordance with the City’s policies, as well as state and federal law. The City, as a public agency, acquires needed property and easements under its power of eminent domain, provides just compensation based on fair market value, and negotiates with property owners to complete the necessary transaction. For more information on the requirements guiding the City’s work to acquire the needed property rights, the Washington State Department of Transportation’s brochure, Transportation Needs and You (PDF), provides a detailed outline of the process for purchasing property and acquiring easements.