The city has developed draft design options to repave the street and fix potholes, make pedestrian crossings safer, improve bike connections, and make C-TRAN’s The Vine bus system run more efficiently

VANCOUVER – This September and October, the city of Vancouver is seeking community feedback on proposed design options to improve travel safety and comfort on Fourth Plain Boulevard (from F Street to Andresen) and Fort Vancouver Way (from Fourth Plain to Mill Plain) whether you drive, walk, bus, bike or use a mobility device. Once a design is finalized, repaving and construction to implement safety improvements will take place in 2023 and 2024.

“Over 300 crashes occurred on Fourth Plain Boulevard between 2018 to 2020 alone, making it one of the most unsafe corridors in the city,” said Emily Benoit, city of Vancouver senior planner. “The Fourth Plain Blvd and Fort Vancouver Way Safety and Mobility Project aims to address some of the top transportation needs identified by community members, including a lack of safe crossings, speeding vehicles and unsafe conditions for people walking and riding bikes along these streets.” 

Based on community input and traffic analysis, the city has developed draft design options to repave the street and fix potholes, make pedestrian crossings safer, improve bike connections, and make C-TRAN’s The Vine bus system run more efficiently. Proposed design options would repurpose a travel lane to install new or buffered bike lanes and/or bus and right-turn-only lanes along the corridor. Lane reconfigurations such as this have been implemented in many communities across the northwest and have proven benefits such as a reduction in crashes, increased business revenue, and increased numbers of people walking and biking.

The City is conducting in-person and online outreach to connect with those who live, work, play or go to school on Fourth Plain Blvd and Fort Vancouver Way. The online open house and survey will be open through the end of October and is available in English, Spanish and Russian. To request other formats, contact Emily Benoit at emily.benoit@cityofvancouver.us. 

Staff will also be available to chat with community members at two free community events on Saturday (Sept. 17):

• Grows Mercado fresh, local food market presented by the League of United Latin American Citizens SW Washington Chapter from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at River City Church, 2400 E. Fourth Plain Blvd.
• Multicultural Resource Fair presented by Fourth Plain Forward and the Latino Community Resource Group from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Clark College’s Gaiser Hall, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way

This project is part of the Vancouver Moves Complete Streets program – a citywide initiative to increase safety and mobility for all community members and all the ways we travel. 

Learn more sign up for project updates and find future in-person engagement opportunities at www.BeHeardVancouver.org/Fourth-Plain-Fort-Vancouver-Mobility. 

Information provided by city of Vancouver.