What is WSDOT doing to prepare for flooding?
While WSDOT is doing many things to support our agency neighbors, WSDOT is taking additional steps to preserve state highways and traffic data information in the event of flooding.
Our goal is to keep state highways open as long as possible for traffic and emergency vehicles.
View photos of our crews working to prepare for potential flooding.
SR 167 in Kent
WSDOT contractor, Northwest Construction, have lined a 1000-foot section of SR 167 just north of 277th Street in Kent with more than 600 sandbags each holding one and a half tons of sand. The sandbags are on either side of the road to prevent water from creeping onto the pavement. Drivers will be protected from these sandbags by concrete barrier. The sandbagging will allow us to keep the road open for several hours after flooding begins.
These specially-designed sandbags can remain in place for up to five years.
Financial information: $100,000 from WSDOT maintenance funds.
SR 18 near Auburn
One of four bridge piers which support the eastbound lanes of SR 18 over the Green River is vulnerable to high water. Swift moving water has carved out a small space near the base of the pier undermining the pier’s long-term stability. WSDOT bridge crews have a plan to put 50 yards of rock to deflect the power of the water during high-flood stage if high water is forecast.
Financial information: $35,000 from WSDOT maintenance funds
Green River Valley
WSDOT signals crews start work on a plan to protect signals cabinets. The cabinets contain the power supply and electronics for everything that makes our highways smart, such as traffic cameras, ramp meters, overhead freeway signs, signals, HOT lanes, and the in-road sensors that show freeway congestion on our colored online traffic maps.
There are more than a dozen cabinets vulnerable to flooding in the Green River Valley. We may wrap the signal boxes in special plastic or raise them up off the ground.
For more information about these projects, contact:
Jamie Holter WSDOT Communications
206.440.4698