Port of Centralia Supports Project That Eventually Seeks to Link State Route 6 to Harrison Avenue
Dec. 26—The last regular meeting of the year for the Port of Centralia was a crowded one.
On Dec. 21, 17 people packed into the port's conference room, including a handful of city and county government officials among members of the public.
Among the officials were Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston, Centralia City Councilor Elizabeth Cameron, Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope and Lewis County Public Works Director Josh Metcalf.
They were there to thank the port for passing a resolution supporting construction of the West Connector project, formerly known as the Scheuber Road Bridge project.
"As most of you know we only have two north-south routes in Centralia that connect us to other communities and one of those is Interstate 5 and the other is a state highway that goes through downtown and we have minimal east-west routes because of all of the factors that block a lot of where we can put roads," Smith Johnston said.
She added the connector was vital in both being able to improve traffic flow around the city as well as response times for emergency vehicles. According to Smith Johnston, the West Connector project would also help secure funding for a proposed North County Interchange.
"From my understanding, we need to show as a local community that we have done everything possible that we can to address issues in congestion and traffic flow before we get that approval for funding," Smith Johnston said.
Metcalf said more details of the connector project, as well as other associated projects planned to help improve congestion issues around Centralia, will come later. He, along with other county employees and Centralia city officials had been working to put this project together and secure funding.
"We are looking at that (West Connector) project as a connection from Harrison (Avenue) all the way to Highway 6 eventually," Metcalf said.
The resolution of support was passed unanimously.
Port of Centralia Commissioner Peter Lahmann recalled hearing one of his mentors tell him about when the project was first proposed.
"One of my mentors in my youth, Frank Garland, he used to serve on the planning commission for the county. Many, many years ago there was $20 million allocated for this project, for the Scheuber Road Bridge project. Frank told me that he voted against it and he said that was the stupidest thing he ever did in his career," Lahmann said.
The price tag for the project now is around $50 million.
"I'm honored to even get to be somewhat involved in something like this that's going to be so transformative for our community," Port of Centralia Commissioner Kyle Markstrom added.
Public Comments
Centralia resident Jan Banevich was in attendance and attempted to repeat the statement she was giving during the Dec. 8 regular meeting before being halted by Markstrom.
Once again, Markstrom did not let her finish the comment after previously citing concerns with Banevich's use of the word "rape." Banevich has taken issue with the port director's contract including a clause that makes it more difficult for him to be fired.
Another public commenter spoke up in support of the port on the issue.
Steve Ryan, of Chehalis, thanked the port commissioners for helping bring jobs to the area and boosting the local economy.
Ryan cited his experience on the Lewis County Planning Commission and encouraged members of the public to redirect their anger.
"There's a system and there are people. And if you don't like the system then attack the system, but when you attack the people, then you're just being malicious and you're also possibly trying to take over the system," Ryan said.
He added that if someone has issues with the port they should present possible solutions.
During many past meetings, public comments, including those of Banevich, have included suggestions such as improving transparency with the port's real estate portfolio, using Zoom to make regular meetings more accessible to the public and allowing for remote attendance.
