U.S. 97 - Illumination and Pedestrian Improvements
Client: Brewster, Washington - WSDOT
Project Details
U.S. 97 - Illumination and Pedestrian Improvements, 2007-2008
Brewster, Washington - Washington State Department of Transportation
Project Overview
US 97 through Brewster is an important roadway for local industry, shopping and downtown access as well as a heavily used cross-state route for recreation and commerce. Due to a high amount of foot traffic from fruit packing workers and an increased emphasis on pedestrian safety by the state legislature, WSDOT has launched a safety improvement project that will address crosswalk locations and illumination, sidewalks, and access points on US 97. Currently, property owners have open access along the highway and many are cold to the idea of limiting access. TLG performed all public involvement efforts which included:
- Key stakeholder meetings
- Property owner meetings
- Design/development of public information materials (flyers, mailers, display boards, posters)
- Property/Business owner mediation to determine agreed on locations for limited access points. Businesses on US 97 previously had open access along the highway and were sour to the idea of limited access points.
- Careful mediation between business owners, WSDOT and The City of
- Brewster resulted in agreed upon limited access locations.
- Public Open House scheduling, coordinating and facilitation
- Develop/maintain project database
- Media outreach and media relations
- Spanish translation coordination for print materials and public open house
Construction of the project was completed in 2009. Post construction interviews with once skeptical business owners revealed a new opinion and attitude about the new limited access points. Business owners remarked that they have improved flow in and out of their parking areas and they have noticed a reduction in accidents.
