A Weekly Summary of WSDOT News and Activities
Crews work to strengthen and preserve a three-mile section of I-90 between Bellevue Way and W. Mercer Way in King County.
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Have you noticed the strange markings or a rougher ride on parts of I-90? Ever wonder what the heck is going on out there? More than 55 workers from WSDOT and Interstate Improvement, Inc. are working to preserve and strengthen a three-mile section of I-90 between Bellevue Way and W Mercer Way using a process called a dowel bar retrofit.
This $7.6 million portion of WSDOT and Sound Transit’s multistage
I-90 Two-Way Transit and HOV Operations project
is moving quickly thanks to federal stimulus funds from the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
The retrofit begins with cutting six slots across the joints that connect the concrete panels that make up I-90’s surface. Crews then remove the concrete between the saw cuts and insert epoxy-coated dowel bars before sealing them with grout. Finally, they grind the roadway to remove excess grout, bumps or dips and repaint the stripes.
When this part of the project is complete later this spring, drivers on I-90 will enjoy a smoother, safer ride. The work will also strengthen the roadway and extend its life under heavy traffic and freight trucks.
All three stages of the $187.6 million project are scheduled to be complete in 2014. Interstate 90 will have around-the-clock high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in both directions between Bellevue and Seattle and improved HOV access on Mercer Island and in Bellevue.
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After the March 31 studded-tire removal deadline, drivers who plan to travel into higher elevations may want to carry tire chains or use an alternative traction device.
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WSDOT reminds motorists that studded tires are only legal from Nov. 1 through Mar. 31 in Washington State. Motorists using studded tires after the deadline could incur a fine from the Washington State Patrol. WSDOT can extend the deadline and will evaluate current conditions and forecasts during the week of Mar. 22, prior to making a decision.
Safety is a WSDOT priority, and drivers must be aware of the safety issues surrounding studded tire use on bare or wet roadways. Research on studded tires consistently shows that vehicles equipped with studded tires require a longer stopping distance on wet or dry pavement than do vehicles equipped with standard tires. Most Washington state highways are bare and wet throughout the year and drivers should talk with tire dealers to find the safest tire for their vehicle and driving patterns.
Because winter weather can extend past March, especially in the higher elevations, we advise drivers who plan to travel into higher elevations after March 31 to remove studded tires and have
alternative traction devices.
Ultimately, WSDOT would like to see the use of tire studs phased out to improve safety and reduce pavement maintenance and preservation costs. WSDOT hopes the trend will at least move to the introduction of new, even lighter weighted studs.
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SR 8 Elma
- A $1.5 million project funded by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act began March 15 on State Route 8 near Elma. Crews will add high-tension, four-strand cable-barrier in median sections from Elma in Grays Harbor County, to the US 101 interchange in Thurston County. Although no barrier can prevent every collision, high-tension cable barrier stops vehicles from crossing the median 95 percent of the time, reducing the potential for cross-over incidents. This project, which is scheduled for completion July 2010, is expected to support 15 direct and indirect jobs.
SR 203 Duvall
- Workers began nighttime lane closures for safety improvements on the 24-mile
SR 203 corridor between Fall City and Monroe
on Monday, March 15. Crews will add shoulder rumble strips and guardrail to help keep drivers safely in their lane of travel and on the roadway. The project also includes new turn lanes to provide refuge for turning drivers and reduce the risk of rear-end and sideswipe collisions. Crews will add a two-way left-turn lane between North High Rock Road and Tualco Road and a southbound right-turn pocket at 203rd Street SE. From 2005 to 2008 there were 34 collisions on SR 203 between North High Rock Road and Tualco Road, including one fatal collision and three serious injury collisions. Crews expect to wrap up work on the project this fall.
SR 542 Glacier
- Crews begin work on Monday, March 22, to shift a quarter-mile of
Mount Baker Highway (SR 542)
away from the Nooksack River near E. Church Mountain Road, four miles east of Glacier. WSDOT will shift the highway to help reduce the risk of flood damage and emergency closures. This is a long-term fix that will prevent costly emergency repairs and lane closures. Crews will stop traffic for up to 30 minutes at a time during daylight hours, Monday through Saturday, for about two weeks to remove trees along what will become the new path for the highway. Along with shifting the highway, crews will also build a new bridge at Chain-up Creek, to improve fish passage. The existing culvert is a barrier for fish. Bridge work will begin in June. Crews will reduce the road to one lane for several months and will use a signal to alternate traffic through the area.
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Vessel Watch for Mobile Devices
In February, Washington State Department of Transportation's Ferries Division (WSF) launched a new version of Vessel Watch on its Web site. Based on customer feedback, WSF has implemented many of the improvements that were requested. On Thursday, March 11, WSF updated the old version of Vessel Watch for mobile devices such as Blackberries and iPhones, available at
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/vesselwatch/
The new mobile version of Vessel Watch uses the same modernized map as our Web site. Comments regarding the new site can be sent to
webfeedback@wsdot.wa.gov
.
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23, Tuesday, 4 - 5:30 p.m., Work group meeting, South Portal Alaskan Way Viaduct - Seattle:
The state, county and city departments of transportation established three working groups to help inform the design and environmental review process for the new
SR 99 bored tunnel.
The south portal working group will discuss the south end stages of construction. Location: Puget Sound Regional Council, Board Room, Fifth Floor, 1011 Western Avenue, Seattle.
24, Wednesday, 4 - 5:30 p.m., Work group meeting, North Portal Alaskan Way Viaduct - Seattle:
The state, county and city departments of transportation established three working groups to help inform the design and environmental review process for the new
SR 99 bored tunnel
. The north portal working group will discuss north end stages of construction and receive an update on the Mercer corridor project. Location: Puget Sound Regional Council, Board Room, Fifth Floor, 1011 Western Avenue, Seattle.
27, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to noon, public tours, Alaskan Way Viaduct - Seattle:
Join us for a tour of the
Alaskan Way Viaduct
on Saturday, March 27 during the semiannual inspection. Tours will be held between 9:30 a.m. and noon. If you would like to participate, e-mail
viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov
or call 1-888-AWV-LINE and leave a message with your contact information.
Express Lane Archive
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