The idea of a new northern route across the Yakima River that would link Terrace Heights to 40th Avenue has been floated for several years.

But with the potential economic impact of a 208-acre mixed retail and commercial development at the old mill site -- described as gaudy by city officials -- the idea has become a front-burner issue.

The task now is to get as many agencies as possible working together to make it a reality.

Brad Hill, a consultant working with the mill property owners, said they have discussed the need with local state lawmakers and the congressional delegation for state and federal funds for the project.

During a meeting Tuesday with mill property co-owner Greg Demers of Eugene, Ore., and Hill at the former mill's administrative office, county commissioners agreed the project would require participation by everyone involved to make it a reality.

"This is an excellent opportunity. The challenge is it will take a substantial investment by all entities to put their eggs in one basket," said Commissioner Mike Leita.

County Engineer Gary Ekstedt estimated the cost of a river bridge and arterial to the east at about $40 million. The stretch from the mill property to link up to the roundabout at Fifth Avenue and Fruitvale isn't included in that figure.

A specific route for the county's portion of the road won't be selected for several months, and construction could be years away.

The county's interest, in addition to helping boost economic development, is to reduce congestion on the Terrace Heights bridge in the face of residential growth in Terrace Heights and provide better access to the Yakima Greenway path complex.

The century-old mill finally closed in 2006, and the owners Demers and Melvin and Norman McDougal of Creswell, Ore., are in the planning stages to turn the site into a mix of retail, commercial, residential and light industry. Some of the road construction and utility installation on the site could occur as early as 2010.

A local development board in March authorized funds for an analysis of economic impact that the development would have on Yakima.

Michael Morales, deputy director of community and economic development for the city, said results of the study are expected to be out at the end of May.

The study will be part of the city's application to obtain a share of the state sales tax to develop the roads and utilities needed to develop the site. Morales said interim results of the study are impressive.

While the county looks at the river crossing, the city is planning on some interim access to the property. Morales said the sales tax funding mechanism could be used to create a roundabout where Lincoln Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard meet near the Target Center along with an extension of North 10th Street to access the property.

* David Lester can be reached at 577-7674 or dlester@yakimaherald.com.