On November 1, 2022, the North Bend City Council approved two resolutions accepting grants totaling $1,925,000 to go toward projects that preserve
flood storage and transportation enhancements: The South Fork Avenue Extension Capital Project and engineering of the South Fork Snoqualmie River
Levee Setback Capital Project. View Agenda Bill AB22-129 and AB22-130 by referring to pages 37 through 44 HERE.
The South Fork Avenue Extension Bypass Capital Project was awarded $967,500 by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). Funding will go toward
the preliminary engineering and design of the project, resulting in extending South Fork Avenue Southwest to West North Bend Way. A local match of
$157,500 will accompany the project, which will come from the City’s Transportation Impact Fee (TIF). Traffic enhancements include:
- Reducing traffic volumes and the emissions impact at major intersections within the City’s main downtown Historic District.
- Providing alternatives for truck traffic.
- Improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Improving access to and from Interstate 90.
The South Fork Snoqualmie River Levee Setback Capital Project was awarded $800,000 through the King County Open Space – River Corridors Grant.
Funding will provide the engineering design of the project, resulting in moving the existing left bank of the levee between Bendigo Boulevard and North
Bend Way back. The project will create more flood storage area that will, in turn, decrease flooding when larger storms occur. City staff are confident the
grant will fully fund the design contract, with a zero-dollar match requirement.
Design for both projects are expected to begin in 2023, with construction in 2025. The overall combined projects offer North Bend many benefits. Mayor
McFarland commented, “Grant-supported projects such as these not only support our city’s Transportation Improvement Plan and our nationally
recognized Floodplain Management program. They also enhance the livability of North Bend, providing safer transportation and a healthier riverbed.”
Original source can be found here.
