U.S. 97 Realignment Project

Presenter Information

Sam Fahsholtz

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Campus where you would like to present

SURC Ballroom C/D

Start Date

15-5-2014

End Date

15-5-2014

Keywords

Realignment, Salmon, IMPLAN

Abstract

The Washington State Department of Transportation is in need of replacing two culverts along US Highway 97 north of Ellensburg: the Iron Creek culvert and a Swauk Creek culvert, almost two miles to the northeast. In its current alignment, US-97 is separating Swauk Creek from its natural floodplain, leading to several environmental and maintenance problems, including adverse effects on anadromous fish. Several options for floodplain reintroduction in conjunction with the culvert replacements are being considered. The most expensive, but potentially most beneficial alternative, involves realigning a two-mile stretch of US-97 around the majority of the isolated floodplain. I used IMPLAN Pro input-output software to estimate the total economic impacts of this realignment alternative. When considered in conjunction with quantified environmental benefits from this proposed project, an informed decision can be made as to whether this alternative project warrants further consideration.

This presentation was withdrawn from SOURCE, 2014.

Poster Number

25

Faculty Mentor(s)

Wassell, Charles, Jr.

Additional Mentoring Department

Economics

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May 15th, 11:30 AM May 15th, 2:00 PM

U.S. 97 Realignment Project

SURC Ballroom C/D

The Washington State Department of Transportation is in need of replacing two culverts along US Highway 97 north of Ellensburg: the Iron Creek culvert and a Swauk Creek culvert, almost two miles to the northeast. In its current alignment, US-97 is separating Swauk Creek from its natural floodplain, leading to several environmental and maintenance problems, including adverse effects on anadromous fish. Several options for floodplain reintroduction in conjunction with the culvert replacements are being considered. The most expensive, but potentially most beneficial alternative, involves realigning a two-mile stretch of US-97 around the majority of the isolated floodplain. I used IMPLAN Pro input-output software to estimate the total economic impacts of this realignment alternative. When considered in conjunction with quantified environmental benefits from this proposed project, an informed decision can be made as to whether this alternative project warrants further consideration.

This presentation was withdrawn from SOURCE, 2014.