County officials told state legislators on Oct. 21 that aging bridges and limited I‑5 access are major constraints for Lewis County's economy and safety, and they asked for programmatic and targeted state funding.

Jeff Soderquist, Lewis County public‑works director, said the county owns 227 bridges and conducts most bridge repairs with grant funding because regular revenues do not cover replacements. "We have a number of bridges that are going to celebrate their hundred year anniversary of service," Soderquist said, noting that culverts larger than 20 feet are now classed as bridges and replacement costs can be about $2.5 million a structure.

Commissioners and staff asked legislators to consider programmatic funding to address the county's large bridge inventory and to use Climate Commitment Act revenues where allowable. Legislators and county staff discussed producing ranked lists of the county's most urgent bridge and road needs so projects could be slotted quickly into funding opportunities when they arise.

On I‑5 Exit 72 (Napa/Vine), multiple speakers described chronic congestion and permitting that has allowed development without mitigation for interchange impacts. One county official urged the legislature to press WSDOT and permitting authorities to require mitigation contributions from new developments and prioritize funding, because the project is not in the current six‑year program and has been scheduled to 2039 or later without additional action.

Staff also briefed legislators on North Lewis County industrial access projects: Harrison Avenue is about 90% designed and right‑of‑way acquisition is anticipated, the Mount Vista to Galvin portion of the Westside Connector is under construction, and the Northlink (Shubert Road extension) is in design. County leaders asked legislators to help preserve the funding pipeline so these projects can remain shovel‑ready and to support eventual WSDOT engagement for a north‑end interchange on I‑5.

Legislators recommended that the county present prioritized, phased requests for short supplemental funding and emphasized collaboration between county, port and city partners when projects cross jurisdictional lines.