Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 19, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Allen Street Bridge to promote trade and reduce congestion, Locke says

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke is hailing Wednesday's official opening of Kelso's newly constructed Allen Street Bridge as the first completed project of a major state effort to hasten the flow of truck and rail traffic while relieving local traffic congestion.

The Allen Street Bridge is the first completed project of the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, whose mission is to speed the flow of products to market by targeting transportation investments at key bottlenecks. The board was established in 1998, as a result of legislation sought by Locke.

The new Allen Street Bridge will reduce traffic congestion in downtown Kelso. More than 25,000 vehicles will use the bridge each day to cross over the intersection of Pacific and Allen streets and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line.

"We live in a global economy where time is money. Communities throughout the country and world are investing large sums of money to ensure people and goods move quickly," Locke said. "Ultimately, projects like this one help ensure that Washington maintains its leadership position in world trade.

"Freight mobility projects, such as the Allen Street Bridge, also cut local street congestion caused by truck and train traffic," he added.

Final completion of the $24 million project will come late this year after the old 1923-era bridge is removed, landscaping is completed, and the remaining two lanes are opened.

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