Point Defiance Bypass Project to be Delayed by 2 Years

WSDOT has announced that it will after all perform a full environmental assessment of the Point Defiance Bypass project. WSDOT has opted for the study primarily because the FRA is requiring the study as a prerequisite for the distribution of the HSR stimulus funds. Previously, WSDOT had obtained a 'categorical exclusion' from the FHA deeming an environmental assessment unnecessary. The News Tribune has a detailed writeup of the story here where they do in fact confirm the delay:

The study will push back the projected 2013 opening of the controversial route at least two years, officials say.

...

State officials knew they would have to go through an environmental process after winning federal funds earlier this year, but nothing this big.

“We didn’t know we’d have to do another environmental assessment,” Jeffers said Tuesday.

This also means that the currently scheduled WUTC meeting in June will be canceled. Lakewood Councilman Walter Neary confirms this in a blog post hailing the study as "A Victory for Democracy".

WSDOT is holding an open house about the project on May 17th.

The open house will be held from 4 pm - 7 pm in the Rotunda Building at Clover Park Technical College - 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood