Ask anyone who commutes in Federal Way what they consider the city's biggest drawback to its steady growth over the past 18 years, and they'll likely settle on one answer: Traffic.

Even before its incorporation in 1990, Federal Way has seen a significant annual increase in its population (2.5 percent annually and 25 percent from 1990-2003), and subsequently a proportional rise in the number of residents and commuters utilizing its ever-crowding roadways.

That rise in traffic has brought with it a disturbing burgeoning in accident statistics as well, with a particular emphasis on the impact of high volumes of vehicles accessing Federal Way's City Center via the I-5 - South 320th Street interchange.

While it will likely come as no surprise for those who travel these arterials regularly, a 2003 study conducted by a group of state, local and citizen-based entities concluded that heavy congestion had led to an elevated number of accidents in the areas west of I-5 in the vicinity of Highway 99.

Looking ahead to the Federal Way of 2030 or 2040, finding a solution to the city's traffic woes seems even more imperative.

On November 12, the City of Federal Way and key players in the City Center Access Project, including the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, hosted a public open house to gain input from the community as the course it should take in alleviating the growing traffic problem.

The city chose a government-neutral site to make the open house more accessible to a broader audience of citizens potentially impacted by the project.

"We wanted to use a facility that was available to all people, so we chose the (Commons) mall," said Maryanne Zukowski, Project Manager for the City Center Access Project. Zukowski said the venue helped attract many residents that would not have otherwise ventured to City Hall to participate in the information session.

The diversity of visitors, Zukowski added, helped contribute to a more accurate representation of the community.

More than 110 people attended the Wednesday night event, despite incredibly stormy conditions outside.

Currently in its environmental assessment phase, the city sought comment from the public for their opinions on the three proposed options to alleviate City Center congestion.

From 47 original proposed options, the group has narrowed down its proposals to three alternatives. The selection process involved each alternative passing through three rounds of cuts in 2003, 2004, and 2005.

Several projects have already been slated for the future, and the first two proposed alternatives do not directly affect those projects.

They include:

Widen South 320th Southbound off-ramp

Widen South 320th Street overpass

Relocate northbound on- and off-ramps at 320th Street

Add new overpass at South 312th Street and widens South 312th Street between 23rd Avenue South and 32nd Avenue South.

Extend South 312th Street to Military Road.

The third option, a No Build - No Action proposal, would, as its name suggests, promote the status quo for Federal Way's road system.

The Northern Alternative

The North City Center alternative features a plan to modify freeway ramps from South 320th Street to South 312th Street. It proposes adding dual exit ramps and on-ramps at the interchange, with a freeway exit and entry point at one location.

The team touts this alternative for its direct benefit for traffic relief on South 320th Street, dispersing traffic more easily throughout the downtown core.

The South City Center Alternative

The Southern route alternative utilizes a new I-5 interchange at South 324th Street, bridging traffic from areas east of the interstate to the Federal Way City Center. Like the Northern Alternative, the South City Center plan proposes to relieve congestion and enhance safety along South 320th Street.

This alternative includes a modified intersection, a new roadway east of I-5 as well as a new overpass, and modifications to on- and off-ramps from South 320th Street and South 324th Street.

The third option, a No Build - No Action proposal, would, as its name suggests, promote the status quo for Federal Way's road system.

Opinions from the public varied, Zukowski said.

Among residents who did not live in the affected areas, Zukowski said the majority seemed to favor the North City Center alternative.

Many citizens living in the impacted areas of South 312th Street and 32nd Avenue voiced their disapproval of both build alternatives, since the two plans involve major work would that would increase traffic through their neighborhoods.

Several residents asked why the city wouldn't consider opening up the 317th Street interchange to general traffic, while others indicated they believed that neither build alternative would do much to alleviate traffic west of Highway 99.

Zukowski added that the team's findings are not yet official, and the group will compile all of the public input into an official presentation to the City Council soon.

The team hopes for a selection of an alternative by spring 2009.