A Weekly Summary of WSDOT News and Activities
Washington Jobs Now - WSDOT breaks ground on largest federally funded project in Yakima County
Local and state representatives join Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond to celebrate the start of construction of the I-82 Valley Mall Boulevard Interchange Improvement project. |
State and local officials joined with legislators and business owners on April 20 to celebrate the start of the $34.3 million I-82 Valley Mall Boulevard Interchange project that will relieve congestion near one of the area’s busiest interchanges.
The project 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 new roundabouts will circulate traffic more efficiently through this congested area. More than 22,000 vehicles use the I-82 Valley Mall Boulevard interchange each day, making it a challenge to navigate through during peak travel times.
“It’s really great to do what we do and see what we can accomplish together. It’s all about the partnerships,” said Don Whitehouse, WSDOT Regional Administrator.
“WSDOT has kept us informed about the project the whole time and I think the long-term affect of this project will be incredible,” said Chuck Hinckley, owner of the Gear Jammer truck stop, which is located just blocks from the project area.
The project contractor, Apollo Inc., of Kennewick, will also reconstruct the intersection of Main Street and Valley Mall Boulevard for the City of Union Gap, providing four lanes with left and right turn lanes, a bus pull-out, sidewalks, and making updates to the storm water drainage systems, street lights, and traffic signal. WSDOT will set the timing of the updated traffic signal at Main Street and Valley Mall Boulevard to coordinate traffic flow with the new roundabouts.
The 2005 gas tax package was the major source of construction funding for the project, which included the purchase of right of way and project design costs. Due to the state revenue shortfall, construction of this improvement was delayed six years. However, last spring the Governor and Legislature, selected the project to receive ARRA funding, providing the necessary dollars to deliver the project on its original schedule.
top
Maintenance & Operations Feature - How bright is your stripe? WSDOT wants to know
ODOT van measuring the reflection of lane stripes on Washington highways. |
Retroreflectivity may not be a common word, but it’s something many people depend on, especially on dark and stormy nights.
In the dictionary, retroreflective is described as “that [which] reflects light or other radiation back to its source.” In simple terms, retroreflectivity is the brightness of roadway features. It’s how well drivers can see the reflectivity of roadway stripes, signs, or raised buttons.
WSDOT crews are testing a new way to make sure retroreflectivity is there when drivers need it. This month, WSDOT is working on a pilot project with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to use that agency’s specialized retroreflectivity van. The van is equipped with a laser and travels at highway speeds throughout the state to measure the reflectivity of WSDOT’s roadway stripes. While testing with laser technology has been available since the 1990s, it’s becoming more reliable and cost-effective.
WSDOT personnel typically measure retroreflectivity with hand-held devices, walking along the highway edge line. This means closing a travel lane and putting workers near traffic. By using the retroreflectivity van, there is no need to close lanes, and WSDOT workers are protected from vehicle traffic. This process is also faster and will provide more data in less time than the previous testing method. Each WSDOT region has provided a list of highway sections to test.
WSDOT will have use of ODOT’s van until June 1, when Oregon begins its statewide retroreflectivity testing.
Crews can only do retroreflectivity testing during clear weather, and WSDOT plans to request to use the van again in April and May 2011. If the pilot project proves successful, WSDOT may pursue funding to purchase its own statewide retroreflectivity testing van.
top
Update of projects underway
SR 4 Longview - WSDOT and Granite Construction Company of Bellingham start work May 10 to bring down more than 150 yards of large rock, loose debris and unstable soil from the slope above SR 4, just west of the Germany Creek Bridge (milepost 50.2). This $340,000 slope stabilization project will reduce the risk of rocks falling onto the highway and improve the condition of the rock slope.
SR 433 Longview - WSDOT has been working since 2002 to improve the SR 433, Lewis and Clark Bridge in Longview, first replacing the deck and more recently painting and preserving the metal superstructure. On April 30, WSDOT awarded the final construction contract to Odyssey/Geronimo JV of Houston, Penn., with a winning bid of $33.7 million. Following recent trends, the project came in 7.3 percent less than the engineer’s estimate of $36.4 million. The total cost of this project is split evenly between Washington and Oregon, as are all interstate bridge projects over the Columbia River. This final phase of work, partially funded by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, paints all the steel above the roadway and applies a protective coating to restore and preserve this historic bridge. Construction is expected to begin in July.
top
Announcements
Governor Christine Gregoire Signs Statewide Proclamation Highlighting the Importance of General Aviation
Governor Christine Gregoire announced a proclamation declaring May as "General Aviation Appreciation Month" in Washington. The proclamation outlines the critical role general aviation plays in business, agriculture, emergency medical air-service, as well as to the overall economy. General aviation contributes more than 178,000 jobs and approximately $3.18 billion in total economic impact to Washington alone.
Governor Christine Gregoire said, "I am proud to sign this proclamation recognizing May as "General Aviation Appreciation Month" here in Washington. General aviation means good jobs, business growth and access to medical care, disaster relief, law enforcement, and a host of important resources to communities across the state of Washington."
"Washington has long recognized the value that general aviation brings to the state's economy across our diverse communities. The Governor's Proclamation validates this recognition. General Aviation airports are the backbone of the state aviation system and a critical element of the state's overall transportation system," said John Sibold, Aviation Director for the Washington State Department of Transportation.
DOL offers streamlined vehicle and boat renewals using email renewal reminders
The Department of Licensing is now offering vehicle and boat owners in Washington the opportunity to save themselves time and help the environment by signing up to receive renewal reminders via e-mail.
Signing up is fast and easy at the DOL website. Renewal reminders will contain both the total due to register the vehicle or boat and a link to DOL’s website where the owner can both review fee details and renew online. Renewing online can have new registration tabs and decals ordered and on their way within minutes.
Budget cuts have caused DOL to discontinue traditional paper renewal notices for boats and personal watercraft, so owners should sign up for e-mail renewal notices this year to receive a reminder in 2011.
top
May meetings and events
10, Monday, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Community meeting, Washington State Ferries - Bremerton: WSDOT's Ferries Division (WSF) is holding a series of meetings in ferry-served communities to share information and discuss current ferry issues. Location: Kitsap Conference Center Bremerton Harbor, Oyster Bay Room, 100 Washington Avenue, Bremerton.
11, Tuesday, 3 - 6 p.m., Open house, Keller Ferry - Keller: WSDOT staff will hold an open house to share information on the upcoming Keller Ferry repair project. Location: Kelly Community Center, 11669 S. Highway 21, Keller.
11, Tuesday, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Community meeting, Washington State Ferries - Kingston: WSDOT's Ferries Division (WSF) is holding a series of meetings in ferry-served communities to share information and discuss current ferry issues. Location: Kingston Community Center, Kingston Room, 11212 State Hwy 104, Kingston.
12, Wednesday, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Community meeting, Washington State Ferries - Port Orchard: WSDOT's Ferries Division (WSF) is holding a series of meetings in ferry-served communities to share information and discuss current ferry issues. Location: Harper Church, 10384 Sedgwick Road SE, Port Orchard.
17, Monday, 11 a.m. - noon, Groundbreaking, Sound Transit Station Parking Expansion project - Puyallup: Sound Transit will host a groundbreaking event to kickoff a project that will help meet demand for parking at the Puyallup Sounder Station. WSDOT is a funding partner for the project. When completed, the improved parking lot will provide more than 200 parking spaces for commuters. Location: Puyallup Fairgrounds Red Lot, 5th St. SW and 9th Ave. SW, Puyallup.
17, Monday, 4 - 7 p.m., Open house, Pt. Defiance Bypass - Lakewood: WSDOT will host an open house to re-familiarize the public about the upcoming Pt. Defiance Bypass rail project funded by ARRA High Speed Rail grants. Location: Clover Park Technical College, Rotunda Bldg. at Lakeview Entrance, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood.
25, Tuesday, 5 - 8 p.m., Open house, North Spokane Corridor project - Spokane: WSDOT's project team will hold an open house to share information about the North Spokane Corridor construction schedule and design. WSDOT's Real Estate Services staff will also be on hand to answer any questions about right-of-way acquisition. Location: East Central Community Center, 500 South Stone St., Spokane.
27, Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Community meeting, Washington State Ferries - Anacortes: WSDOT's Ferries Division (WSF) is holding a series of meetings in ferry-served communities to share information and discuss current ferry issues. Location: Anacortes Chamber, 22nd & O Street, Anacortes.
Express Lane Archive
top