Aberdeen, WA – November 14, 2025 – The Aberdeen City Council voted Wednesday night to formally confirm Alternative 8 as the preferred geometric layout for the US 12 Highway–Rail Separation (HRS) Project.  This decision sets the design footprint for one of the region’s largest transportation safety and mobility improvements, enabling the project to advance into final design and initiate the remaining property acquisition efforts.

In 2021, the City initiated preliminary design efforts for the HRS Project to address long-standing transportation safety, mobility, and freight reliability concerns caused by multiple at-grade rail crossings within the City. In 2023, the project was fully funded by the Washington State Legislature, which allowed the City to advance more detailed engineering efforts and significantly expand coordination with property owners and commercial stakeholders south of the existing rail lines.

Between May 2023 and October 2025, numerous design alternatives were developed, evaluated, and refined in collaboration with affected businesses, agencies, and property owners. Each alternative was assessed for safety performance, traffic operations, constructability, environmental considerations, and potential property impacts.

Following this extensive technical analysis and stakeholder engagement, Alternative 8 emerged as the most balanced solution for public safety, operational efficiency, and commercial access. The configuration improves emergency response routes, eliminates chronic congestion during train blockages, enhances pedestrian and bicycle mobility, and preserves reliable access to key commercial destinations.

Key benefits of Alternative 8 include:

• Improved Public Safety: Overcrossing ramp slope reduced to 8%, meeting AASHTO and WSDOT design guidance for emergency access and operational efficiency.
• Improved Multi-modal Mobility: Overcrossing ramp provides both pedestrian and bicycle access to commercial properties.
• Reduced Congestion: Eliminates traffic queues near commercial entrances and improves overall traffic flow along US 12 during train blockages.
• Enhanced Access for Businesses: Ensures equitable, reliable access to commercial facilities south of the existing rail line.
• Rail Safety Improvements: Project includes closure of a two at-grade crossing to reduce conflict points.
• Constructability & Phasing Advantages: The northeast-shifted compact roundabout allows improved construction sequencing, maintaining access for customers and delivery vehicles.

Next Steps

With Alternative 8 confirmed, the project will move forward with:

• Advancing final design plans, specifications, and cost estimates
• Environmental documentation and permit preparation
• Right-of-way appraisals, negotiations, and acquisition
• Ongoing property-owner coordination and stakeholder meetings

“Wednesday night’s decision sets the foundation for real progress on the US 12 project,” said Mayor Orr. “Alternative 8 offers a practical design that helps emergency responders, reduces traffic backups, and supports East Aberdeen’s commercial area.”

Project information and additional materials are available on the project website at:
us12highwayrailseparation.participate.online

For more information on this and other projects, please visit the Current Projects page on the City of Aberdeen’s website at https://aberdeenwa.gov/373/Current-Projects.