After the bad news, the news gets good

The I-5 nightmare is almost over. After closure to all traffic this weekend between the I-205 junction and Highway 500 in Vancouver, the $44 million project will be opened next Monday.

Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, Interstate Highway 5 will be closed to traffic in both directions between Highway 500 in Vancouver and the Interstate Highway 205 junction in Salmon Creek.

When reopened at 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2, the speed limit will be increased to 60 miles an hour and motorists will be treated to three traffic lanes plus an auxiliary lane in both directions from the I-205 junction to NE 99th Street.

The $44 million project was financed mostly through the nickel gasoline tax. Traffic flow in the I-5 corridor between the Main Street interchange in Vancouver and the I-205 junction will be improved. Had the project not been undertaken, WSDOT estimates that afternoon traffic in 2010 would decrease to 42 miles an hour.

Hamilton Construction Inc., Springfield, is the general contractor. Construction began on August 20, 2003. Although the project will be operationally complete next month, landscaping and permanent striping won’t be completed until next spring.

The public is invited to participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10. Principal speakers will be Don Wagner, state Department of Transportation southwest regional administrator, and WDOT secretary, Doug MacDonald.

Vancouver’s Downtown Association
to talk Main Street and waterfront

Vancouver’s Downtown Association will discuss rediscovered Main Street and the future of the downtown waterfront during its quarterly meeting at 6:30 p.m. this evening in the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay.

A social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., according to Celinda Rupert, president of the association. There is no charge for attendance, although donations will be accepted.

Olympia brass banging drum for local
job growth in global economy

State Department of Licensing Director Liz Luce and Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development Director Juli Wilkerson spent most of the day today with local officials and members of the media boosting Gov. Chris Gregoire’s plan for “Growing Jobs in a Global Economy.”

The tour is an outgrowth of the governor’s workforce development conference held in Vancouver earlier this month. Other members of the governor’s cabinet are also touring Washington cities this week.

The plan, still in draft form, can be found by going to www.governor.wa.gov, and then linking to “The Next Washington.”

People

State Sen. Don Benton (R-17th) has been presented the Guardian of Small Business Award by the National Federation of Independent Business. Benton was cited for his “strong record” of sponsoring and supporting legislation vital to the creation, growth and survival of small business enterprises in Washington State. Benton is the founder and CEO of the Benton Group, a sales and management consulting firm.

News brief

The deadline for nominations for “Accomplished and Under 40,” is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. The annual under-40 awards are sponsored by the Vancouver Business Journal. Those selected will be honored at a Thursday, Nov. 9, luncheon in the Hilton Vancouver Washington. For further information, call publisher John McDonagh

at 448-6007, or go to www.vbjusa.com/AU40_nomination.php.

Calendar

The fifth annual Community Recovery Forum highlighting local alcohol and drug treatment and recovery options is from 6 to 9 p.m. this evening in the First United Methodist Church, 33rd and Main Streets. There is no charge.

  

Thursday headlines

State report hints at tolls on I-5--Columbian, Thomas Ryll

Vancouver parking rates may go up dramatically--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

Website portrays developers as Mafia members--Columbian, Kathie Durbin

Minimum pay to go up to $7.92--Columbian, Jonathan Nelson

James Mayer's next-of-kin sought by medical examiner--Columbian, Kelly Adams

Cozy retreats offer quiet fun--Columbian, Kristine Kisky

Wooden sailboat: obsession and elbow grease--Seattle Times, Eric Sorensen

Cantwell becomes a money machine--Seattle Times, Alex Fryer

Dow flirts with record--USA TODAY, Adam Shell