Moses Lake crossing added to plan

Grant County takes first step

EPHRATA - People packed the hearing room at the Grant County Courthouse Thursday to learn about a proposed additional crossing across Moses Lake.

The project is unfunded and likely years off. It wouldn't happen until after a lengthy public process, which would include more studies and public hearings, said Damien Hooper, Grant County's long range planning manager.

But residents still showed up to see an early step in the process, which is to add to the county's comprehensive plan by including a proposed lake crossing.

The Grant County Planning Commission unanimously approved the amendment.

The route could still change, but may use Hiawatha Road off Interstate 90 to cross Moses Lake near Conley Park off state Route 17, said Derek Pohle, Grant County's public works director.

Three people testified in support of the amendment and addressing the need for another crossing.

They were Terry Brewer, executive director of the Grant County Economic Development Council, Moses Lake Community Development Director Gil Alvarado and Kim Foster, corporate council with the ASPI Group, a real estate company.

Brewer, also a member of the transportation group TransCo, said he supported the amendment because another lake crossing is a priority item for TransCo.

Alvarado said city staff hasn't taken a position on the route, but he supported addressing the matter and the amendment.

Foster reiterated his letter to the planning commission. The letter stated ASPI agreed with the need of a route, but wants to ensure the route has the least amount of impact on ASPI's property.

The proposed route's right-of-way turns east and crosses ASPI's property.

About 10 Hiawatha Road residents showed up at the meeting after receiving a map and meeting notice in the mail. They didn't speak because the question period was granted before an explanation of the amendment.

Resident Beth Yarbro said she came to the meeting because she was curious about how the project would affect her family's property.

Her son, Chuck Yarbro Jr., also said he wanted to learn more about the project.