News Briefs for July 30, 2020

Community can weigh in on SR-500 improvements The Washington State Department of Transportation is inviting people to participate in a survey and weigh in on ways to improve safety on state Route 500 (SR-500), also known as Northeast Everett Street, near Northeast Robinson Road and Northeast Third Street, about four miles north of Camas. Rapid growth and development in the area have resulted in increased traffic and run-off-the-road crashes at these two intersections. To inform future cost-effective improvements to help reduce fatal and serious injury crashes along the corridor, WSDOT is seeking input from community members, area business and daily users of the corridor. The public is invited to provide feedback in the online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/X633MTW through Aug. 7. Those interested in participating can also request a hardcopy of the survey by calling 360-905-2076. Community input is integral to the safety study process. The ideas and comments gathered via the survey will help shape the project design, which is scheduled for construction in summer 2022. The current estimated cost of the project is $2.5 million. For more information visit wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr500/ne-robinson-ne-3rd/home. WSDOT adding bus-only lane to southbound I-5 This summer, the Washington State Department of Transportation will install new smart technology upgrades and add a bus-only lane on southbound Interstate 5 (I-5), between 99th Street and the Interstate Bridge. This work is scheduled for installation in advance of the Interstate Bridge Trunnion Replacement project, which will close the entire northbound span of the Interstate Bridge on I-5 Sept. 12-20, and will have a ripple effect on travel throughout the region. For more information visit wsdotblog.blogspot.com. Meals on Wheels in need of donated fans for seniors As the temperature climbs outside, many homebound seniors are struggling to keep cool in houses that have no fans or air conditioning. Each year, citizens throughout the greater Portland-Vancouver area respond to this need by donating fans to help keep elderly neighbors comfortable during the summer heat. Meals on Wheels People is again asking for donations of new or gently used fans to help keep homebound seniors cool and healthy as temperatures head above 90 degrees. Fans can be brought to Meals on Wheels People Central Office at 7710 S.W. 31st Ave. in Portland between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Some neighborhood dining centers may also be open to accept fan donations. To check for open locations, visit mowp.org and call for available hours.

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