Camp Murray Gate: Is Shifting the Main Entrance to Portland Avenue an Acceptable Alternative?

In an effort to alleviate traffic coming to and from the Camp Murray gate through the Tillicum community in Lakewood, the National Guard has proposed paying $1.2 million in road improvements and moving the main entrance further south along Interstate 5.

Nothing is in writing but city officials are considering it, so far, as an acceptable alternative at Monday's City Council meeting.

The city halted traffic from the current main entrance at the intersection of Berkeley Street and Union Avenue in Tillicum because of traffic congestion. Assistant City Manager Dave Bugher said the Portland Avenue could yield significant traffic improvements to the neighborhood, especially when coupled with the National Guard's offer to pay for road work, according to a news story published by The Tacoma News Tribune.

“We didn’t see the benefit (last year),” Bugher said in the TNT article. “We feel like this will work better for Tillicum in the long term.”

The National Guard estimated Camp Murray would cost $4.7 million to relocate. Plans are still in the developmental stage. The soonest the National Guard could get a permit is six months after an environmental analysis.

Two public meetings are scheduled today to discuss the project. The first is at 4:30 p.m. at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main St. S.W. and the next is a neighborhood meeting at 7 p.m. at the Tillicum Community Center, 14916 Washington Avenue. S.W.

While it seems that Camp Murray wants Portland, Lakewood City Councilman Walter Neary said he needs more information, starting with a map that outlines how traffic traffic coming and going through the gate will affect the surrounding Tillicum community.

"If I was the (Tillicum) community I'd listen but I don't blame anyone for coming into this pretty skeptical," Neary said about shifting military traffic to Portland Avenue.

"Everyone is waiting to see what the advisory groups and neighborhood think of it."