A Weekly Summary of WSDOT News and Activities
Washington Jobs Now - SR 519 Intermodal Access project hits one out of the park
Earlier this month crews were putting the finishing touches on the new Royal Brougham Way Bridge. The bridge opens to drivers and pedestrians on April 12. |
Early on, WSDOT engineers recognized a need to find ways to keep people and goods moving south of downtown before construction to replace the southern end of the Alaskan Way Viaduct started. One of those ways was completing the SR 519 Intermodal Access Project earlier than we initially expected.
SR 519 Intermodal Access: that’s quite a mouthful. What does that really mean? It means it’s a project that’s not just about getting cars more quickly into and out of downtown’s SODO neighborhood and beyond. It also means freight haulers will now have a quicker and safer route to get into and out of the Port of Seattle. And it means pedestrians and bike riders will safely cross above the train tracks particularly on their way to the many large events at the stadiums and event center.
One of our earlier construction schedules put completion of this project at 2012. Our engineers knew that wasn’t going to work with the viaduct replacement timeline. So the team decided to utilize the design-build method of contracting and also selected a contractor based on bid price and schedule. This is how we got to 2010.
But getting to today wasn’t just about design.
The construction team faced a few particularly difficult challenges, including poor soils, high water tables and having to build the project in the midst of two stadiums. That meant scheduling road and lane closures around event traffic when possible and maintaining pedestrian routes at all times. They also needed to build part of the project under WSDOT specifications and standards and other parts under the City of Seattle’s specifications and standards, all while keeping local stakeholders happy. It was a balancing act that they pulled off with grace.
We are opening the Royal Brougham Way Bridge to drivers and pedestrians on April 12, opening day of the Seattle Mariners season.
Since the project broke ground in fall 2008 our goal was to open the bridge by opening day because it is a perfect example of the types of large events that happen in the SODO neighborhood. These events play a vital role for our community and we want to be sure that people can continue to enjoy them while we move forward with our project to replace the southern end of the Alaskan Way Viaduct starting this summer.
top
Maintenance & Operations feature - Studded tire deadline extended - again!
WSDOT maintenance crews work to keep I-90 in good shape as winter weather conditions continue on Snoqualmie Pass, prompting another extension of the studded tire deadline. |
Although the calendar says spring, winter weather and freezing temperatures continue to hang on in the Cascade mountains and most of eastern Washington, prompting WSDOT officials to extend the deadline to remove studded tires through April 17.
That means drivers must remove their studded tires by 12:01 a.m., Sunday April 18. If you aren't planning any cross-mountain trips and live in an area where temperatures are mild, we encourage you to remove your studded tires as soon as possible and not wait until the April 17 deadline.
Washington State Patrol troopers enforce a $124 fine for those who use studded tires after the deadline. No one can guarantee ice and snow-free roadways, so WSDOT encourages drivers, especially those heading into the higher elevations, to plan ahead and drive for conditions.
On the WSDOT Winter Driving Web site, you can find ways to prepare for winter driving, winter driving tips, plus more about WSDOT's winter roadway operations, snow and ice removal and avalanche control.
top
Update of projects under way
I-82 Yakima: Crews began preparation work on April 5 for a project that will improve traffic flow for the westbound I-82 off-ramp at Terrace Heights. This $1.2 million project will construct an additional eastbound lane on Terrace Heights Drive, from I-82 to 17th Street in Yakima, and upgrade the traffic signal at the ramp terminal. Starting April 5, construction crews will eliminate the existing center turn lane on Terrace Heights Drive and shift eastbound and westbound traffic into two lanes in each direction to make room for embankment construction. The contractor will maintain two lanes of traffic in each direction on Terrace Heights Drive during daylight hours while the embankment for the new eastbound lane is constructed. WSDOT has contracted with Granite Northwest, Inc. to do the work, which plans to have the project completed by Memorial Day Weekend.
I-82 Yakima Valley: Crews began work on the I-82 Valley Mall Boulevard interchange, the largest American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) project in the Yakima Valley, on April 5. Workers will reconfigure the Valley Mall Boulevard interchange to provide better, more direct access to and from I-82 and North Rudkin Road, and improve connections to the interstate for both Union Gap and Yakima. Three roundabouts are planned to circulate traffic more quickly and safely through this congested area. The project will also reconstruct the intersection of Main Street and Valley Mall Boulevard for the City of Union Gap. This includes providing four lanes with left and right turn lanes, a bus pull-out, sidewalks, updates to the storm water drainage systems, street lights, and a traffic signal. The project will take two construction seasons to complete, with an estimated completion date of fall 2011.
I-90 Snoqualmie Pass: WSDOT and crews will resume construction on two I-90 improvement projects next week: the $18.4 million I-90 Lake Easton to Bullfrog project and the $77 million I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East – Hyak to Keechelus Dam project. Drivers should plan for traffic revisions, added travel time, and visual distractions.
- Crews started construction on the nine-mile Lake Easton to Bullfrog project in September 2009. They rehabilitated approximately five miles of deteriorating concrete of the right-hand lane and asphalt shoulders of westbound I-90 before winter began. On April 12, crews will resume work on the project by installing detours on I-90 between Easton (milepost 70) and Nelson Siding Road (milepost 74). They anticipate completing the concrete replacement work by Memorial Day weekend.
- The I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East – Hyak to Keechelus Dam project is a multi-year improvement project that adds a new lane in each direction of I-90, replaces deteriorating concrete pavement of existing lanes, stabilizes slopes, extends and adds chain-up/off areas, replaces the snowshed, rebuilds bridges, straightens sharp curves, and improves ecological connectivity. Crews will complete all project improvements by 2016.
top
Announcements
Viaduct holds steady; March inspection finds no new settlement
Data gathered by WSDOT bridge inspection crews during the closure of the State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct in late March reveals no new settlement or structural damage.
In addition to measuring existing cracks and settlement of the viaduct, the closure allowed WSDOT and City of Seattle crews to take care of a few regular maintenance items.
- Searching for and removing loose concrete.
- Repairing expansion joints and damaged bridge rails.
- Applying a protective covering to exposed rebar.
- Servicing drainage systems and traffic cameras.
- Washing the walls of the Battery Street Tunnel and inspecting its lighting and ventilation systems.
- Restriping the roadway.
This summer, crews will begin work to replace the viaduct between S. Holgate and S. King streets with a new side-by-side roadway that has wider lanes, meets current earthquake standards and improves mobility for people and goods in the south of downtown area.
Chetzemoka Moves North
WSDOT Ferries Division's (WSF) newest boat, the 64-car ferry Chetzemoka made its initial journey under tow on April 3. Todd Pacific Shipyards moved the Chetzemoka to Everett for final outfitting and system testing prior to conducting dock and sea trials. The towing of the Chetzemoka was visible from various locations along Puget Sound between Seattle and Everett. Photos of the vessel’s journey are posted online at: www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/sets/72157621006556309/.
top
April meetings and events
12, Monday, 9 - 10 a.m., Groundbreaking, SR 510 Yelm Loop - Yelm: WSDOT will join local officials and community members for a groundbreaking event, marking the first stage of construction for the new SR 510 Yelm Loop. Stage 1 of this project builds a new roadway from Mud Run Road to Cullens Road. Construction is scheduled to begin mid-April. Location: Mud Run Road, Yelm.
12, Monday, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Ribbon-cutting ceremony, SR 519 S. Royal Brougham Way Bridge - Seattle: State and local officials will celebrate the opening of the SR 519 S. Royal Brougham Way Bridge. The new bridge improves traffic flow and pedestrian and bicyclist safety by separating people, vehicle traffic and rail between I-90, I-5 and the Seattle waterfront. Location: On top of the new Royal Brougham Way bridge between Occidental Avenue S. and Fourth Avenue S., Seattle.
Express Lane Archive
top