News Release

New Visitor Parking and Street Improvements Begin at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

News Release Date: January 20, 2022

Contact: Tracy Fortmann, Superintendent, [phone]

Contact: Alex Patterson, Facility Manager, [phone]

A major project is beginning at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, which will provide a new, main visitor parking lot and improvements to East 5th Street. This is a key component of the vision outlined in the site's Master Plan, and will improve circulation for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. This project is partially funded by a Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant and is a collaboration between the City of Vancouver, the Western Federal Lands Highway Division, and the National Park Service.

This $2.9 million contract was awarded to Westech Construction, Inc., of Portland, Oregon. It includes the new visitor parking lot south of East 5th Street and west of Fort Vancouver, as well as associated landscaping, lighting, and signage. It also includes improvements to East 5th Street, including repaving, new sidewalks, reoriented parking spaces, and bicycle and pedestrian routes. Work is expected to be completed in Fall, 2022.

"We are very fortunate to be able to take additional steps to make this the vibrant campus for public service that we all envisioned during the planning process. The new, main visitor parking area will be a central hub from which visitors will experience all the park has to offer, and improvements to the connecting roadway will allow for more safe, efficient, and accessible access to the national park," said Superintendent Tracy Fortmann.

This work will have temporary effects on circulation through and to the park, and we appreciate your understanding as it progresses. For the most up-to-date information on road or sidewalk closures, please go to our website at www.nps.gov/fova.

Construction begins on the new main visitor parking lot at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

NPS Photo