The Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the new Granite Falls Alternate Route (GFAR) took place on July 2^nd.  The Granite Falls Alternate Route project discussions began as early as 1994, and have been in process formally since 1997.  The GFAR is the culmination of an extensive public involvement, review and funding process to identify and build an alternative route around the City of Granite Falls in an effort to reduce heavy truck traffic, congestion, noise and air pollutions and improve safety.

Participants in this process include:  Snohomish County Public Works, City of Granite Falls, WSDOT, Federal Highway Administration, Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, Public Works Trust Fund, former Snohomish County Executive Bob Drewel, Congressman Rick Larsen, Senator Patty Murray, the Washington State Legislature, Granite Falls School District, Granite Falls Chamber of Commerce, Washington State Transportation Improvement Board and more.

The project originally projected to cost $33.7 million, went to bid in May and came in significantly under estimate at $28.8 million.

Cost:

Preliminary Engineering (Design) $4.543 M

Right-of-Way (Property Acquisition) $6.131 M

Construction Cost $18.088 M

Project Total: $28.762 M

Jobs:

It is estimated that construction of the bypass will create 50 jobs, with more jobs possible as Granite Falls moves ahead with downtown redevelopment.

Stats:

• More than 4.5 million tons of aggregate is currently trucked annually through downtown Granite Falls
• In 2005 more than 6 million tons of gravel passed through Granite Falls
• Equates to 1 truck and trailer every 30 seconds or 2,000 trucks and trailers each day
• Current downtown route was designed in the 1940's
• New route is 1.9 miles
• New route will divert traffic away from downtown Granite Falls
• Reduce travel times and barriers to freight movement and other traffic
• New route will increase traffic capacity by 30-50%
• Improve access for visitors to the National Forest
• Increase mobility and safety for local traffic and pedestrians
• Improve response time and access for emergency vehicles
• Support economic redevelopment of the commercial core and region
• Will connect Mountain Loop Highway to SR 92
• Installation of 3 roundabouts will provide a slower and steady flow of traffic, resulting in less idling and reduced air pollution
• Roundabouts reduce fatalities by 90%, reduce accident severity by 76% and pedestrian accidents by 30-40%
• Road will consist of two 12-foot wide travel lanes with 8-foot wide shoulders.