Casino Traffic Study Flunks
A "D-" grade was given to the traffic study conducted for the Cowlitz Tribe's proposed casino complex. The said grade was given by a consultant hired by the city of La Center.
The 13 page report prepared by H. Lee and Associates of Vancouver said that "basic fundamental flaws" appear in the study, including assumptions used to analyze the amount of traffic that would be generated and its distribution onto the road system.
"These analyses are off by a magnitude of two to four times, which render them useless in evaluating the impacts and identifying relevant mitigation measures," the report concluded.
"It is our opinion that the entire analysis needs to be redone before conclusions can be made regarding impacts and mitigation measures." The report states that the only reason why it didn't get an "F" is because the consultant seemed to have an understanding of traffic engineering and transportation planning concepts.
The firm also criticized the traffic analysis for other issues, for instance the effect that the Cowlitz casino project would have on the Interstate 5 interchange at Northwest 319th St. and the intersection of Northwest La Center Road and East Fourth Street.
"It is apparent that the analysis or lack of analysis was significantly skewed to minimize traffic impact or not to address significant issues," the report said.
The firm Parsons Brinckerhoff prepared the study. The study is part of the draft environmental impact statement on the $510 million casino project. Analytical Environmental Services of Sacramento, Calif., was the body that prepared the overall study under the direction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
