A Weekly Summary of WSDOT News and Activities
Washington Jobs Now - WSDOT celebrates being one step closer to four lanes of US 12 from the Tri-Cities to Walla Walla
Photo: WSDOT and the contractor, Apollo Inc., finish working on one of the three roundabouts on the US 12 Frenchtown to Walla Walla (Phase 6) project.
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WSDOT is one step closer to four lanes of US 12 from the Tri-Cities to Walla Walla with the opening of eight miles of new lanes from Frenchtown vicinity to Walla Walla.
On July 8, close to two hundred local residents, dignitaries and elected officials joined U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond, and members of the US Highway 12 Coalition to celebrate the completion of the fourth project on the US 12 corridor.
“We are reducing congestion, we are creating jobs, we are attracting businesses and private investments, and we are laying the groundwork for long term economic growth through this entire region,” said U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.
WSDOT and our contractor, Apollo Inc., worked hard to construct this $56 million project on time and under budget. Building US 12 as a four-lane divided highway from Frenchtown vicinity to Walla Walla reduces the risk of head on collisions by separating opposing traffic with a median. Adding a lane in each direction improves passing opportunities. This project also reduces entering at-angle collisions by limiting the number of intersections and private driveways.
“We are making one of the deadliest stretches of roadway in the state safer for our families and children,” said U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.
The Washington State Patrol responded to 216 collisions between 2002 and 2008 on the existing two-lane US 12 from Frenchtown to Walla Walla, 101 drivers were injured and four lost their lives. According to WSP, drivers making poor decisions when trying to pass other vehicles caused many of the serious collisions. The new interchange at Pine Street and Myra Road, which is part of the project, will also reduce congestion, improve traffic mobility, and encourage economic vitality.
The project received more than $42 million from the 2003 and 2005 gas tax packages, and an additional $13 million in federal funds. Completing this eight-mile project means we are nearing the halfway point to completing a four-lane highway on US 12 from the Tri-Cities to Walla Walla. WSDOT has opened 18 miles of four-lane US 12 to traffic, with 21 miles remaining.
The Burbank interchange at the US 12 / SR 124 intersection is the next step toward reducing the risk of collisions on the corridor, and improving the movement of people and freight. Construction of this $25 million project will start in 2011.
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Maintenance & Operations Feature - WSDOT prepares for special events on state highways
Photo: WSDOT helps coordinate special events on state highways, such as the STP.
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Close to 10,000 bicyclists plus support vehicles will be using state highways on July 17 and 18 for the Group Health Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic (STP).
WSDOT’s Traffic Operations team is responsible for making sure those riders and all others associated with the STP are safe during the event. This group of special event planners offer resources and expertise, and communicates information about highway events to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). This helps provide a safe and enjoyable experience for event participants.
WSDOT works with event organizers to help with special events that take place within the highway right-of-way. If your event will require use of state highways, the first step is to complete the Notification of Special Event form. It’s best to submit the form (either electronically or to your nearest WSDOT event planning specialist) as early as possible in the planning process, typically 60-90 days prior to the event.
Once you have submitted the event form, a WSDOT event planning specialist will contact you with more information. Following the steps outlined by WSDOT will make sure you follow all laws, plus it gives you access to WSDOT travel information tools. This will keep event participants and drivers aware of what is happening on the roadway.
Visit the WSDOT Traffic Operations website to learn more about planning an event on a state highway and to locate your local WSDOT event planning specialist.
For this weekend, we ask drivers to share the road and prepare for traffic delays along the STP route. Bicyclists are reminded of their responsibility to follow Washington’s rules of the road. More information about the race, including a full route map is available on the Cascade Bicycle Club website.
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Update of projects under way
SR 305 Poulsbo - Tree-felling operations mark the beginning of a culvert improvement project on SR 305. WSDOT and Frank Coluccio Construction Co. began the $3.8 million project to improve fish passage for salmon in Liberty Bay on July 12. Work, which will occur from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, is scheduled to end in October.
SR 99 Seattle - Crews closed all lanes of SR 99 beginning July 15 and ending July 16 to install a sign bridge over both directions of the highway. The new sign bridge will support two electronic message boards. This work is part of the SR 99 Intelligent Transportation Systems project. WSDOT is working in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation to bring more real-time traffic information to drivers on SR 99, and major routes leading to SR 99 in Seattle. The overhead message boards will provide drivers with information on construction closures, lane status and travel times. This project includes six new overhead electronic message signs on SR 99 from the First Avenue S. Bridge to N. 145th Street in Shoreline. Installing real-time traffic information systems now will help keep traffic moving during construction to replace the double-decked viaduct in the near future.
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Announcement
Roundabouts planned for Mount Baker Highway near Deming
WSDOT plans to build two roundabouts next year on SR 542, Mount Baker Highway at the Smith Road and Lawrence Road (SR 9) intersections to help relieve congestion and reduce collisions. The $7.7 million project originally was scheduled to go to construction this year, but was delayed a year by the 2009 legislative budget. Now the roundabouts will be built in 2011.
WSDOT will host a community meeting for anyone interested in learning more about the project. The meeting is scheduled for July 21, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Whatcom County Fire Station 2, 5664 Lawrence Road, Everson.
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July meetings
20, Tuesday, 7:30 - 10 p.m., Presentation, SR 520 Tolling – Redmond: WSDOT’s Toll Division will provide an update on SR 520 tolling to the city of Redmond City Council. Location: Redmond City Hall Council Chambers, 15670 NE 85th Street, Redmond.
21, Wednesday, 5:30 – 8 p.m., Community meeting, SR 542, Mount Baker Highway roundabout projects – Everson: WSDOT’s project team will share information about two SR 542 roundabout projects scheduled for construction in 2011. Location: Whatcom County Fire Station 2, 5664 Lawrence Road, Everson.
Express Lane Archive
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