Aberdeen staff outline preferred US‑12 overcrossing design, seek council confirmation before right‑of‑way purchases

Aberdeen city staff and consultants updated the City Council Jan. 22 on the US‑12 Highway‑Rail Separation (HRS) project, describing a preferred overcrossing that would build a two‑lane roundabout on US‑12, an overpass across the Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad (PSAP) trestle and an eastbound auxiliary ramp to relieve backups when trains block US‑12.

The project aims to reduce congestion on US‑12 when trains block the trestle, improve emergency access to the commercial area along the Chehalis River, and provide better pedestrian, bicycle and transit access to downtown businesses, project manager Deborah Seaman said. "We have to be 23 feet from the top of the railroad track to the bottom of the bridge girder," Seaman said, describing the clearance requirement that governs the bridge profile and ramp slopes.

The preferred alternative, which Seaman said evolved from a multi‑year alternatives analysis, would build a roundabout at Newell Street on US‑12, carry traffic up and over the railroad, and drop it down into the commercial area. An eastbound auxiliary ramp would allow some eastbound traffic to bypass the roundabout and limit queuing in front of major properties. Consultants said they iterated through multiple touchdown designs—four‑way stop, three‑way stop and a compact three‑leg roundabout—before settling on a compact roundabout that staff say best balances traffic flow with on‑site business operations.

Why it matters: the overcrossing would separate vehicle traffic from trains that now frequently block access to the commercial corridor, potentially shortening emergency response times and reducing backups on US‑12. But the design will require property acquisitions and demolition where the overcrossing footprint conflicts with existing buildings.

Key constraints and next steps - State and railroad approvals: Project engineers said the design requires Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) approval for changes to US‑12 (striping, lane configuration and the roundabout). The team has received an Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) approving a roundabout in principle and is working through plan‑level approvals. The structure must also meet PSAP rail clearance and horizontal‑clearance rules. - Profile and slope: The 23‑foot rail clearance governs the bridge elevation and produces ramp slopes in the current design of about 9–10 percent, engineers said. - Property impacts and right‑of‑way: Consultants showed preliminary maps indicating several full and partial property acquisitions; some buildings in the planned footprint would be demolished. Staff said they will not begin extensive right‑of‑way acquisition until the council confirms the preferred footprint and until right‑of‑way funding is obligated. - Funding and schedule: The project’s majority funding target is state Connecting Washington funds for final design, right‑of‑way and construction, supplemented by WSDOT rail freight funds, Port of Grays Harbor contributions and potential City of Aberdeen funds. Staff cited a previously estimated $73 million construction cost tied to an earlier, roughly 2028 construction timeline and said they will revisit costs in the near term.

Consultants emphasized detailed coordination with property owners—most notably Walmart and the adjacent Olympic Landing development—to preserve delivery truck routes and minimize impacts to on‑site operations. Designers said they track a WB67 (67‑foot wheelbase) semi through circulation models to ensure turning and backing movements are preserved.

Council review and follow‑up City staff said they plan to bring the preferred alternative to council within the next month so the council can "confirm it" before the project advances to final design and right‑of‑way acquisition. "I would like to come to council and confirm it," a city staff member said, adding that shifting the alignment in any direction produces tradeoffs that have been iteratively balanced.

No formal council vote was taken on the design at the Jan. 22 meeting.

Community impacts and outreach Project staff said they have conducted outreach since the planning phase and launched a project website to post milestone materials. They warned that some at‑grade crossings will remain open but one crossing near a gas station must close where the auxiliary ramp climbs and conflicts with a driveway. Staff said they will update property owners as design footprints are refined and will begin negotiations once funds and a confirmed footprint allow right‑of‑way offers.

What's next: staff will continue preliminary design, complete environmental documentation and pursue required WSDOT and railroad approvals; they expect to seek obligating right‑of‑way funds in the next one to two months and return to council to confirm the footprint before acquiring property.