Letter to the Editor: ‘The crossbase highway is getting closer’

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To the Editor:

Back in ancient times, I did a report on the new crossbase highway. 1973, I believe. 53 years later, still not built.

The point I’m trying to make is with the thousands of new homes and apartments being built or planned, the already unbearable traffic is bound to get worse. Much worse. I have been advocating for a new four-lane bridge across the Nisqually River north of the existing bridge.

The crossbase highway is getting closer. The new freeway interchange in Dupont is done now, so hopefully it won’t be long. Now would be the time to begin lobbying for a parallel four-lane highway extending Spanaway Loop Road to the new bridge, bypassing Roy to the west and Yelm to the north.

I would envision roundabout exits for Eastgate, Roy, McKenna and Vail road, and a couple for Yelm proper. I, myself, would be against any further large housing projects until this is addressed. Yelm is an island traffic wise. When there is a wreck on I-5, thousands of cars are diverted right through town to the two-lane bridge. Imagine if there was an accident on SR 507 or SR 702 at the same time.



People count on those roads to get to work.

If it takes 50-to-100 years to build a highway with no bridge, imagine how long a new highway with a bridge will take.

Let’s start now looking at this or a similar congestion relief plan.

Chances are we will need that bridge in 200-more years.

Martin L Miller, Rainier