I-82 Modifications

Modifications to I-82 are proposed from the Selah Road / North 1st Street Interchange southward to the Nob Hill Boulevard Interchange. An Interchange Justification Report (IJR) for the I-82/Yakima Avenue/Terrace Heights Drive Interchange was completed in January 2017. 

The IJR assesses 8 policy points:

1. Need for access point revision

2. Reasonable alternatives

3. Operational and collision analysis

4. Access connection and design

5. Consistent with land use and transportation plans

6. Consistent with future interchanges

7. Coordination

8. Environmental process

The IJR was conditionally approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on February 22, 2017, with final approval to be given upon the completion of the environmental process. A copy of the IJR can be downloaded from the Library page.

If the recommended alternative identified in the IJR is approved during the environmental process, work would include the installation of collector/distributor (CD) roads to both sides of the interstate, as well as auxiliary lanes. A new interchange would be constructed south of the existing railway crossing creating access to the new East-West Corridor. The existing interchange ramps at East Yakima Avenue would be reconfigured. Redesigned interchanges and improved access would reduce congestion on Yakima Avenue and within the City of Yakima street network. It would improve safety and reduce the risk of crashes on the ramps by increasing stopping distance and allowing for shorter ramp queues. These modifications would allow opportunity for future improvements such as adding increased interstate capacity through widening. 

The East-West corridor provides a local transportation improvement which is compatible with the recommended alternative from the IJR and would not restrict construction of the planned elements. A copy of the IJR can be downloaded from the Library page.