A Weekly Summary of WSDOT News and Activities
Washington Jobs Now - We’re ready for the busy construction season on I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass … are you?
Crews will resume a project on I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass, finishing the work started last summer, pouring and flattening new concrete lanes. |
WSDOT is gearing up for another busy construction season on I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass. WSDOT kicks off the season at the end of March by resuming work on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act- funded I-90 Lake Easton to Bullfrog Project.
Starting as early as March 29, weather permitting, approximately 60 crew members from Gary Merlino Construction (Seattle) will pick up where they left off last year by removing and replacing the remaining three miles of deteriorating concrete and asphalt shoulders in the right-hand lane of westbound I-90 from near the Nelson Siding Road to Lake Easton. They will also replace severely cracked panels in the left-hand lane and grind the surface of the road for a smoother, safer ride. To complete this work, WSDOT will close the westbound on- and off-ramps at Exit 71 (Easton Road) and the eastbound on-ramp at Exit 70 (Sparks Road) from early April to May 31.
WSDOT will use a detailed traffic shift plan to keep crews safe and traffic moving through the construction zone. Monday through Friday mornings, crews will restrict traffic to one lane in each direction. During weekends (from Friday morning to Sunday evening), crews will open two travel lanes in the peak travel direction during peak travel times. Crews will complete the project by the end of June.
The $18.4 million Lake Easton to Bullfrog project is one of four construction projects on I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass this year. WSDOT will begin construction on the second construction contract of the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East project this spring. Crews will begin construction on the I-90 Keechelus Dam to Cabin Creek eastbound paving project and the I-90 Lake Easton to Big Creek Bridge eastbound concrete replacement project this summer.
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Maintenance & Operations feature - Traffic Deaths in Washington Reach 50 year lows
Safety improvements on Washington's highways, such as cable median barrier, are helping to reduce the number of fatalities and reach "Target Zero." |
In 2009, Washington’s highways had the safest year since 1955. According to Washington’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, there were about 30 fewer highway deaths than the 521 in 2008. The currently known 490 deaths of 2009 represent the lowest number of deaths since 1955 when 461 people lost their lives, yet road travel has increased fivefold.
“Due to the efforts of the men and women of our law enforcement community and the smart safety investments we’ve made, the number of traffic deaths in our state is at a 50 year low,” Governor Chris Gregoire said. “While our highways are safer, there is still more to do. We must continue to educate our citizens and enforce traffic laws to protect our families.”
Washington has set a goal of zero traffic deaths by 2030 as part of its Target Zero plan. Developed in 2000, Target Zero identifies traffic safety needs and provides an inventory of proven, effective strategies to meet them. Using the Target Zero plan as a guide, Washington focuses on public education, innovative safety engineering to improve roadways, emergency medical services and strong enforcement of traffic safety laws. The reduction in traffic deaths last year represents a significant step towards meeting the goal of zero traffic deaths.
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Update of projects under way
SR 14 Stevenson - SR 14 near Dog Mountain (mile post 54) will be closed from 4 to 6 p.m. each weekday afternoon, starting Wednesday, March 10, during rockfall prevention work in the Columbia River Gorge. The SR 14 Rockfall Mitigation project will improve safety on SR 14 by removing loose rock, unstable soil, trees and other debris from slopes above the highway. WSDOT’s contractor, Hi-Tech Rockfall Construction Inc., will close SR 14 just east of the Dog Mountain Trailhead for this two-hour period from March 10 through June 14. These closures are required for the safety of drivers and construction workers as crews drill into the rock face and blast away 22,000 cubic yards of rock from the vertical slope above the highway. The Dog Mountain Trailhead parking lot and a portion of the trail will be closed during blasting work. Trail users are encouraged to check WSDOT’s Web site before planning their trips. The closures that start March 10 are just the beginning for rockfall prevention work along SR 14.
SR 195 Spokane - Contractors will begin pavement improvements on SR 195 in southwest Spokane on March 15. The project includes work on a five-mile stretch of northbound US 195, from Hatch Road to Interstate 90. This project installs steel "dowel bars" between the existing concrete panels in the northbound lanes. Following that, the concrete surface will be smoothed out with a diamond grinder. In addition, a number of broken concrete panels will be replaced. Acme Concrete Paving, Inc., Spokane, is the prime contractor on the job with a construction bid of $2,449,266. The work will take about three months to complete. The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provided the funding and work was made possible through savings on other ARRA construction projects built earlier in 2009.
SR 509 Tacoma - WSDOT has plans to close both directions of State Route 509 between I-705 and Port of Tacoma Road on Saturday, March 6 and again, Saturday, March 13. During the closures, crews will replace seven 140-foot-long, 113-ton girders on the Puyallup River Bridge’s fire-damaged southbound deck. Bridge girders connect to cross beams that sit atop bridge columns, linking the beams and supporting the roadway.
The first closure, from 3 a.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday, March 6, allows crews to stage two 250-ton cranes on the bridge, and then lift the damaged, giant bridge girders onto flatbed tractor-trailers. SR 509 will be closed again from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 13 so crews can place seven new girders in the southbound lanes. Both closures are weather dependent. WSDOT awarded the $2.9 million repair contract to Granite Construction Company of Everett in June 2009. Funding comes from a settlement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe.
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Announcements
WSDOT resumes SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge functional tests
WSDOT is resuming functional tests on the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge after identifying and correcting a hydraulic issue discovered during earlier west-half draw span tests. Testing will recommence at 10 p.m. Monday, March 8 and continue nightly until completed.
The three sections of the west side lift span were operating at different speeds caused by unequal hydraulic pressure. After a series of diagnostic tests, crews adjusted the systems and confirmed proper operation. WSDOT estimates that functional testing, which is approximately 50 percent finished, will take about six nights to complete. West-half functional testing will be followed by about three nights of tests of both the east and west draw spans. When both functional and draw span tests are complete – which could be as soon as 10 days – construction-related openings of the bridge and the west-half retrofit project will conclude.
WSDOT awards contract to preserve I-5 in Cowlitz County
Second tier stimulus project moves forward to construction
WSDOT awarded the last of four Recovery Act projects to pave I-5 in Cowlitz County. Lakeside Industries, Inc. of Longview, Wash. was awarded the $4.57 million construction contract and will pave approximately 17 miles of I-5 between Todd Road and the Kelso Weigh Station this summer.
The I-5 – Todd Road to Kelso Weigh Station paving project is funded through federal, state and local funding sources and received $2.34 million in 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. WSDOT is delivering this second tier stimulus project following lower-than expected bids on initial Recovery Act funded highway projects in Washington State.
Through this project, crews will resurface the interstate and improve guardrail, striping and signage between the Kalama and Kelso vicinities. Restoring this section of I-5 will preserve the road’s surface, reduce maintenance costs and improve safety and mobility for all drivers. This section of I-5 in Cowlitz County carries an average of 52,000 vehicles per day. Construction is expected to begin in May. The entire project is scheduled to be complete by the end of October.
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March meetings and events
9, Tuesday, 3 -4 p.m., Opening celebration, Aberdeen Transit Station - Aberdeen: State, local and transit officials will hold a grand opening celebration for the improved and expanded Aberdeen Transit Station. The improvement project is intended to enhance safety for both riders and local traffic and to accommodate future growth of bus ridership. The Transit Station improvements included expanding the size of the station, installing better lighting, adding security cameras and providing a covered seating area for passengers. A park and ride lot has been expanded to provide parking for up to 35 vehicles, and sidewalks and bike racks make the station more accessible. Location: Aberdeen Transit Station, Aberdeen.
Express Lane Archive
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