Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: PW - Public Works

Directors' Update: March 11, 2026

Business Meeting: March 17, 2026

Summary:

Outline parameters for North Lewis County Industrial Access funding

Publications:

Cover Letter To:

Additional Copies To: Geoff Soderquist

Resolution

WHEREAS, the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) recognizes the critical regional significance of the North Lewis County Industrial Access (NLCIA), a cooperative effort between Lewis County and the City of Centralia to improve mobility, safety and infrastructure within North Lewis County; and

WHEREAS, the NLCIA received $10.2 million in funding from the Washington State Transportation Budget to support project components necessary for corridor improvements; and

WHEREAS, the project includes the acquisition of right-of-way (ROW), construction upgrades, signal modernization, accessibility improvements and long-term planning support to make the corridor construction-ready and support future development; and

WHEREAS, a funding breakdown has been developed based on planning discussions and recommendations from staff and project stakeholders, including the following allocations:

• Lewis County Projects
• • Reynolds Avenue/Harrison Avenue Corridor Improvements
    • Preliminary Engineering ($2,622,500) and Right-of-Way Acquisition ($2,200,000)
  • Westside Connector - Phase 1 - Stage 2 - TS&L Update - North Link
    • Preliminary Engineering ($1,410,000) and Right-of-Way Acquisition ($1,000,000)
• City of Centralia Projects
  • Westside Connector - Phase 1 - Stage 1 - Mt. Vista Rd to Galvin Rd
    • Construction ($1,076,000)
  • Harrison Avenue - Adaptive Signal Upgrades
    • Preliminary Engineering ($60,000)
  • Harrison Ave - Johnson Ave to Belmont Ave Improvements
    • Preliminary Engineering ($200,000)

The remainder of $1,637,500 is being reserved for contingencies, available to any one of the above projects.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lewis County, Washington, that the above-listed funding allocations are hereby established as guiding parameters for the use of the anticipated $10.2 million in funding for the North Lewis County Industrial Access Project; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board authorizes County staff to continue coordination with the City of Centralia and relevant state and federal agencies to finalize project design, secure right-of-way acquisitions and pursue additional funding as necessary to complete construction.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 17th day of March, 2026.