Drivers near Lower Columbia College (LCC) should expect a new round of congestion and shifting traffic patterns starting Thursday, Jan. 22, as the project to relocate a water main around campus moves into Phase 3 at the Washington Way and 15th Avenue intersection.

Classic Hits 100.7 KLOG reported that Phase 3 begins today and is expected to affect traffic near Washington Way and 15th Avenue through Feb. 13, 2026. During this phase, motorists should anticipate lane closures, detours, lane shifts, reduced speeds and short delays. KLOG also reported that access to schools, businesses, parking and emergency services will remain open, and that River Cities Transit bus stops in the immediate project area will be temporarily relocated with on-site signage directing riders to the new stop locations.

This water main relocation is tied to broader construction and infrastructure changes around LCC, including long-term parking impacts associated with campus development. LCC has told students and staff to expect limited parking while major construction is underway, and has encouraged transit and other alternatives where possible.

What to know (and what to plan for)

  • Where: Near the intersection of Washington Way and 15th Avenue by Lower Columbia College in Longview.
  • When: Phase 3 starts Jan. 22, 2026 and runs through Feb. 13, 2026 (as reported by KLOG).
  • What to expect: Lane closures, detours, lane shifts, reduced speeds and delays.
  • Transit riders: Watch for posted notices about temporarily relocated River Cities Transit stops in the construction zone.

Why this matters locally

The Washington Way/15th Avenue area is one of Longview’s busiest corridors, carrying student traffic, school traffic and daily commuters. Even “short delays” can stack up quickly at peak times, especially when lane shifts and temporary detours change familiar turning patterns. For nearby residents and businesses, the practical impact is less about a single closure and more about weeks of intermittent slowdowns and route changes.

Projects like this also highlight how public infrastructure and campus expansion collide with daily life: when core utilities have to be moved to support new construction, the disruption tends to land on everyone who uses the surrounding streets—students, workers, parents, transit riders and neighbors alike.

Sources

Bottom line: If you commute past LCC, build in extra time through Feb. 13 and assume the usual turning and lane patterns around Washington Way and 15th Avenue may change day-to-day.