Project engineers will be on hand Feb. 15 for an informal open house to answer questions about the current status of the long-discussed State Route 704 Cross-Base project (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr704_crossbase). The Washington State Department of Transportation assumed lead agency status for the corridor design in August.

The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about the project and to share ideas with WSDOT staff. Here is the information about the meeting:

Tues., Feb. 15, 2005
4 – 6 p.m.
Woodbrook Middle School
14920 Spring Street SW
Lakewood

When completed, the Cross-Base highway will provide regional travelers with a new 6-mile-long, multi-lane divided highway. The new alternate east-west route will ease congestion on I-5, SRs 512 and 7, Spanaway Loop Road and 174th Street, providing a more direct travel route through Fort Lewis and McChord military bases.

Pierce County completed the corridor environmental impact statement and record of decision, moving the project into the design phase. The Washington State Legislature appropriated $15 million in the 03-05 biennium to begin project design.