Public works seeks clear‑zone mapping, will start condemnation for Allender Road culvert and tighten utility rules

Susan Eugenis, Cowlitz County engineer, described several Public Works items on tomorrow’s agenda, including a Washington State Department of Transportation local agency agreement for a Clear Zone Inventory Project and a resolution to begin condemnation for property needed for an Allender Road culvert replacement.

"That is a 100% pay for this project," Eugenis said of the $310,000 clear‑zone mapping work funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program. She said crews will map everything within the right of way to identify hazardous fixed objects and use the results to prioritize safety projects.

Eugenis said staff will present a resolution to start the legal process to acquire property at 221 Allender Road for a culvert replacement at Stillwater Creek after attempts to locate required signatures from heirs were unsuccessful. She provided easement details: a permanent easement of 4,494 square feet running parallel to the roadway and a temporary easement just under 27,000 square feet to provide construction access; the temporary easement will revert to the property owner after work is completed.

She also said staff will present an amendment to Ordinance 12‑21 to clarify installation and maintenance conditions for utilities within county right‑of‑way and to strengthen franchise terms so utilities move equipment when projects occur; Doug Jensen will join staff to explain the item at the hearing.

Commissioners asked whether mapping would produce a long list of items that require follow‑up; Eugenis said the inventory is intended to produce a prioritized list for subsequent work, some of which will require additional project setup and funding.