Project of the Week - WSDOT Breaks Ground on SR 20 Project
The community celebrates the start of construction on SR 20 in Skagit County. Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, Rep. Barbara Bailey and Doug MacDonald address citizens, local lawmakers and business leaders. |
Citizens, business leaders, local officials and legislators met for an official groundbreaking on WSDOT’s $110 million widening project on SR 20 west of Burlington. Long awaited improvements on the five-mile stretch between
Fredonia and I-5 have been underway for a month. The ceremony took place at the Azusa Farm in Mt. Vernon, at the edge of the construction site. The project adds a new lane in each direction, divides the highway with a median and cable barrier, and dramatically improves the interchange at I-5. The new lanes will double capacity on a stretch of highway that has been known for collisions and congestion. The completed project is expected to accommodate growth for the next 20 years.
“This project is about saving lives and reducing collisions while removing a major chokepoint for drivers,” said Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen. “Whether you’re driving State Route 20 for business or pleasure, you will see a safer, more efficient highway when this construction is done."
Legislators and state officials gave the project a major boost this year when they accelerated funding. Before this year’s legislative session, the project was scheduled to be complete in 2017 with a budget of $117 million. Now the project is scheduled to be complete in 2009 with a budget of $110 million. Funding for the project comes from the 2003 Nickel gas tax.
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Incident of the Week - Boat Takes a Rough Ride on US 2
At about 1:10 pm on Wednesday, this boater discovered the importance of attaching the winch safety chain and transom straps when the boat is on a trailer. The driver was exiting eastbound US 2 to Airport Road in Spokane. The truck and trailer made the corner....the boat didn't. WSDOT's Incident Response provided traffic control. The incident was cleared at about 2 pm.
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Update of Projects Under Way
SR 9 Arlington - Crews will break ground on SR 9 between Arlington and Bryant on June 4. This $20-million project will improve safety in the area by straightening the curve at Schloman Road and adding turn lanes at the busiest intersections.
SR 9 Marysville - Work starts next week on a safety project to build left and right-turn lanes at the intersection of SR 9 and Lauck Road (108th Street). This is the latest in a series of safety and widening projects on the SR 9 corridor.
US 12 Yakima – Just two months after breaking ground for the US 12 – 40th Avenue Interchange Improvements project, the community celebrated the project's completion on May 30. The project added a second lane on the US 12 eastbound on-ramp, a second through lane from North 40th Avenue, and better traffic flow due to a more efficient traffic signal. A new left-turn lane for the westbound off-ramp will allow traffic to proceed more quickly through the intersection. The project will also re-connect the Yakima Greenway to local bike and pedestrian pathways. This $2.1 million project is the first in Yakima to be funded by the 2005 Transportation Partnership Funding Package.
US 97 Oroville - Crews began work May 29 on a project that paves 11 miles of US 97 from Oroville to the Canadian border. The project also updates some of the sidewalk ramps in the City of Oroville and paves two of the city's streets. Work should be complete by the end of September.
I-405 Canyon Park - On May 29, WSDOT joined Sound Transit and other agencies to dedicate the new I-405 Canyon Park Freeway Station at the SR 527 interchange. The project opens to bus service on Sunday, June 3, on time and on budget. The new bus stop on the ramp from northbound SR 527 to southbound I-405 improves access and minimizes delays for transit. Southbound buses will no longer have to pass through four traffic signals and weave among cars, freeway overpasses and side streets to serve the Canyon Park Park-and-Ride. Riders will save up to ten minutes on their commutes. A new pedestrian bridge over I-405 connects the park-and-ride to the new bus stop.
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Announcements
New Narrows Bridge Opens July 15 for Public Celebration
WSDOT has set the New Narrows Bridge opening event date for Sunday, July 15 as Tacoma Narrows Constructors (TNC) crews continue their quick pace to get the bridge deck ready. TNC crews are completing several critical activities needed to open the bridge deck including deck waterproofing, painting and paving, which are all weather dependent.
Opening day events will focus on the communities the bridge will serve and the workers who built the bridge, including opening the bridge for a once-in-a-lifetime stroll across the deck and the opportunity to cut a ribbon. The bridge deck will be open to the public between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. with free bus service via Pierce Transit to the bridge from both sides during that time. A morning bridge walk/run sponsored by MultiCare, a ceremonious first toll and a formal presentation will also be part of the day's festivities.
State Transportation Commission Holds Public Hearing for TNB Toll Rate
The Washington State Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing prior to taking action on a proposed rule that establishes toll amounts, toll exemptions and other related administrative guidelines for the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge (TNB). The hearing is being held on Tuesday, June 5, at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview Street, Gig Harbor from 1 to 3 p.m.
The Commission is required by law to set tolls for the TNB at a level adequate to pay back the bonds issued for the construction, maintenance and operations of the bridge. To meet this mandate, the Commission is proposing toll rates of $3 for cash customers and a $1.75 toll for drivers with a Good To Go! electronic transponder. The proposal would also allow local law enforcement and local emergency service providers to cross the bridge for free when responding to or returning from emergency calls. Non-emergency trips would be subject to the applicable toll. Washington State Patrol vehicles assigned to the portion of State Route 16 corridor that includes the TNB would be granted a toll exemption. The full text of the proposed rule is available on the Commission’s web site at: http://www.wstc.wa.gov/
Double Fines on I-5 and SR 270
A flagger on SR 270 works just feet from traffic during a special work zone emphasis patrol on April 25. WSP Troopers ticketed one driver for exceeding 70 mph in the 45 mph work zone. |
Two work zone emphasis patrols with WSDOT and Washington State Patrol troopers sent drivers the message to slow down in work zones and protect the workers and yourself. Projects on I-5 and SR 270 were chosen for this special patrol as its workers, like many WSDOT crews, are just feet from traffic.
Troopers in Castle Rock stopped 51 drivers early morning through afternoon hours of May 23. During the patrol, 45 drivers received speeding citations, 17 were issued aggressive driving fines which could reach close to $500, two were cited for following too closely, and one was cited for driving with a suspended license. Working early morning and afternoon hours April 25, troopers stopped close to 50 drivers on SR 270 between Pullman and Moscow. More than half of those drivers received speeding citations, with four issued aggressive driving fines. Traffic fines are double in work zones.
WSDOT asks drivers to "Give em a Brake" in the work zone. Giving the worker a brake could give yourself a brake, too. An overwhelming majority of people injured or killed in work zone collisions are drivers and passengers.
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Gray Notebook Highlight - Post Winter Report
In the March 2007 edition of Gray Notebook, the Annual Highway Maintenance Update takes a look at WSDOT's 2006-2007 winter activities. Highlights of this update include lessons learned from November's "perfect storm" which left drivers throughout the Puget Sound stranded on roads and highways at the start of rush hour. The report details WSDOT’s initial mis-steps in preparing for severe cold and ice in lowland maintenance activities, but also details WSDOT’s progress for the rest of the season. Snoqualmie pass was closed for fewer hours (75 compared with 134 last winter) and the agency achieved its highest winter roadway condition rating in seven years thanks to improved collaborative efforts between WSDOT, counties and municipalities.
The update also describes WSDOT emergency operations during November's record rains, which caused more than $9 million in damage to the highway system and caused 20 weather-related closures. During December's wind storm over 90 highway and bridge closures were reported, including a first-ever wind-related closure of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
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Upcoming June Meetings, Open Houses and Events
5 - Tuesday, 1 - 3 p.m., Public Hearing, Tacoma Narrows Bridge Tolls - Gig Harbor: Washington State Transportation Commission will hear public testimony regarding a proposed rule for tolling on the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Subsequently, the Commission will take action on the proposed rule. Location: Gig Harbor Civic Center, Council Chambers, 3510 Grandview Street, Gig Harbor.
6 - Wednesday, 8:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Rail Policy Workshop - Tacoma: The Washington State Transportation Commission and WSDOT staff, along with representatives of the Governor's Office and Legislature, are holding a workshop to discuss recommendations of the state's Rail Study and next steps in developing the state's freight and passenger rail system. Due to limited seating, please RSVP by calling the Commission Office at (360) 705-7070. Location: Best Western Tacoma Dome Hotel, Seahawk Room, 2611 E. East Street, Tacoma.
6 - Wednesday, 6 - 8 p.m., Open House, West of Cashmere Safety Improvements Project - Cashmere: WSDOT Project team members will host an open house to provide community members information about the US 2/97 safety improvement project. Construction, scheduled for spring 2008, will include median barrier and a traffic signal system at the intersection of Goodwin Road, Hay Canyon Road and US2/97. Location: Cashmere Riverside Center, 201 Riverside Drive, Cashmere.
7 - Thursday, 10 - 11 a.m., Ribbon Cutting, SR 240 - Tri Cities Additional Lanes project - Richland: The Washington State Department of Transportation, the City of Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick will ceremoniously cut a ribbon to signify the completion of this project. Location: The Richland Wye Interchange. For everyone's safety, guests will meet at Ben Franklin Transit and will be shuttled to the event site.
For more details, please visit the WSDOT Calendar of Events.
Weekly Report Archive
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