The event will take place on the Washington State University Vancouver campus, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue, which is also the northern terminus station
C-TRAN will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, July 9, to kick off construction of The Vine on Highway 99, Clark County’s third bus rapid transit line. The event will take place on the Washington State University Vancouver campus, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue, which is also the northern terminus station.
Speakers will include C-TRAN Chief Executive Officer Leann Caver, WSU Vancouver Interim Chancellor Sandra Haynes, Washougal City Councilor and C-TRAN Board Chair Molly Coston, and state Sen. Adrian Cortes, along with representatives of primary contractor Tapani Inc. and other project partners.
EVENT DETAILS: THE VINE ON HIGHWAY 99 GROUNDBREAKING
- Wednesday, July 9, 1–2:30 p.m.
- WSU Vancouver campus
- 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue
- Note: The event will take place near the basketball court and field near NE 29th Avenue. Visitors should use the main campus entrance road from Salmon Creek Avenue, then park in the first parking lot on the right.
Background
The Vine on Highway 99 is the third branch of The Vine, C-TRAN’s bus rapid transit system. The new line, known as the Purple Line, will serve the Highway 99/Main Street corridor between Salmon Creek and the Vancouver Waterfront — a nine-mile corridor.
Bus rapid transit will bring faster, more frequent and more reliable service to Highway 99, one of C-TRAN’s busiest corridors. Larger vehicles, enhanced stations and with real-time information displays and other features will also improve the experience for riders and allow for future growth. The system will look and feel similar to The Vine service currently operating on Fourth Plain and Mill Plain. The Vine on Fourth Plain (Green Line) opened in 2017; The Vine on Mill Plain (Red Line) opened in 2023.
The Highway 99 project includes 32 new stations along the Highway 99/Main Street corridor, plus an expansion of C-TRAN’s Salmon Creek Park & Ride — soon to be Salmon Creek Transit Center. In the downtown area, The Vine on Highway 99 will use some existing Vine stations. When complete, the new service will replace the existing Route 71 and Route 19.
Construction will begin in earnest later this summer. Work will happen in phases, meaning different parts of the corridor will see construction activity at different times. The Vine on Highway 99 is expected to open in 2027.
About C-TRAN
C-TRAN is the regional public transportation provider for Clark County. It offers Local bus service within its Clark County service area, plus Regional and Express bus service to Portland. C-TRAN also provides on-demand service with The Current, operating in Camas/Washougal, Ridgefield/La Center, WSU Vancouver/Salmon Creek, Rose Village, and the Port of Vancouver. For more information on C-TRAN visit C-TRAN’s website at www.c-tran.com, or call Customer Service at 360-695-0123.
Also read:
- Opinion: The unpreferred and unaffordable Interstate Bridge replacement proposal
Rep. John Ley argues that the Interstate Bridge Replacement proposal is unpreferred, unaffordable, and failing to address congestion, cost transparency, and community concerns. - Opinion: IBR still holding and lying about coming billions in cost overruns
Joe Cortright argues that Interstate Bridge Replacement officials are deliberately delaying the release of an updated cost estimate that he says could push the project toward $10 billion. - Letter: A call for competent Interstate Bridge project management
Rick Vermeers argues that unchecked scope, rising costs, and missed timelines threaten the survival of the Interstate Bridge Replacement project unless light rail is removed. - Rep. John Ley introduces bill to balance representation on Washington transportation boards
Legislation introduced by Rep. John Ley seeks to change how transportation board seats are allocated and prevent funding penalties tied to population-based representation rules. - Opinion: IBR administrator receives generous Christmas gift on his way out the door
Ken Vance argues that IBR leadership avoided accountability on rising project costs as Administrator Greg Johnson announced his departure without providing updated estimates.
