Project of the Week - WSDOT Analyze Slope Stability Above I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass
High on the slopes above I-90 near Keechelus Lake, crews are drilling core samples in preparation for future freeway improvements through Snoqualmie Pass. |
WSDOT is continuing preliminary drilling work on Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass in order to move forward with the design of the
I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East – Hyak to Keechelus Dam Project . Helicopters haul heavy drill equipment to the steep rock slopes high above I-90 near Keechelus Lake where crews are using the drill rigs to collect information about the structure of the mountainside. This work began mid-July and is expected to last until early October.
With these core samples, engineers can determine slope stability and rock strength. We are also investigating fissures (deep cracks) on Slide Curve, installing and testing wildlife fencing, and using specialized equipment to test ground water levels. WSDOT crews are doing this work in the morning hours using intermittent rolling slow downs, just east of Snoqualmie Pass along Keechelus Lake (mileposts 55 to 60). These traffic control measures create an emergency zone for the helicopter to land, if needed, and reduce the visual distraction of low flying helicopters for motorists.
The 2005 Washington State Legislature provided $525 million for the first five miles of the entire 15 mile I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East project. WSDOT will improve I-90 by providing a safer, more efficient six-lane freeway from Hyak to Keechelus Dam. Work will include straightening roadway curves, replacing old pavement, and reducing rock fall and avalanche hazards. This project will also help the safe movement of deer, elk and other animals by building wildlife crossings under I-90, and enhances wetlands and riparian habitats throughout the project area. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2010.
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Incident of the Week- IRT, Maintenance Crew Clears Scene after Truck Hits Overpass
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At 11:49 a.m. on August 30, Incident Response Team (IRT) members responded to an incident involving a semi carrying an over-height load that struck an overpass bridge on State Route 167. The load – which included a backhoe, a compressor, and other construction equipment – slammed into the façade of the 24th Street overpass near Puyallup, then scraped against the bridge’s underside before coming to rest 1,000 feet up the road.
Maintenance Lead Tech Jeff Smiley arrived within 10 minutes of the incident and began assessing damage to the structure. By 12:10 p.m., IRT crew members Willie Ramsey and Kathy Vatter were on site setting up traffic control and closing the right northbound lane. After closing the lane, Vatter stationed her vehicle near the beginning of the slowdowns and programmed her variable message sign to warn commuters of the delays. Crews from Pierce County and Sumner Public Works closed the roadway to traffic overhead. Meanwhile, WSDOT bridge inspectors and maintenance crews arrived to survey the extent of damages underneath. By 1 p.m., WSDOT officials deemed the overpass safe for crossing and reopened 24th Street, as work continued along the roadway below.
The damage to the bridge was largely cosmetic. While inspectors examined the structure, cleanup efforts continued. Maintenance crews cleared several large concrete chunks knocked free by the impact from the roadway. Additionally, workers removed many smaller loosened pieces still embedded the structure. The right northbound lane remained closed for the duration of the bridge inspection. Just after 4 p.m., WSDOT reopened the right lane, and cleared the scene completely by 4:30.
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Update of Projects Under Way
I-5 Tacoma - The next phase of bridge construction over I-5 near the Tacoma Dome will require two weeks of nighttime ramp closures and lane restrictions, starting Tuesday, September 11. Crews placing deck forms (in preparation of pouring the concrete decks) for the new Yakima Avenue and Delin Street overpasses will restrict lanes and close ramps to keep drivers safe. All closures begin at 10 p.m. and end at 5 a.m. Work is part of a series of projects to add HOV lanes on I-5 in Pierce County.
SR 167 Kent - Crews working for WSDOT closed the southbound State Route 167 off-ramp to S. 277th Street in Kent on Friday night to Monday morning (September 7 - 10). In this project crews are rebuilding and widening several ramps between Renton and Auburn to reduce the risk of rear-end collisions and relieve congestion. Earlier this summer crews completed widening SR 167 between 15th Street SW and 15th Street NW in Auburn to add a northbound high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane.
SR 903 Cle Elum - WSDOT has completed paving eight miles of SR 903 starting in Cle Elum, through Roslyn and ending at the National Forest Boundary. Improvements to West 1st Street in Cle Elum and South Cle Elum Way have created smoother pavement and upgrades to the guardrail and signs.
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Announcements
Association for Commuter Transportation holds international conference in Seattle
WSDOT is pleased to be a part of the 2007 Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) International Conference being hosted at the Seattle Sheraton Hotel on September 9 -12. Interim Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond will join local elected officials to kick-off the conference on Monday, September 10, at the opening session from 8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
“We are pleased that ACT chose to hold this year’s international conference in Seattle,” said Hammond. “Public transportation is an important part of our transportation system. Washington has some of the finest transit systems and the largest vanpool fleet in the nation.”
The conference covers the latest issues in transportation demand management policy and programs, including program marketing and evaluation, ridematching for carpools and vanpools, climate change, construction mitigation, parking policy and disaster preparedness.
More information about the conference and the workshops can be found at: http://www.actweb.org/mc/page.do.
Port Townsend-Keystone Route on a One-Boat Schedule Starting September 10th
Beginning Monday, September 10, Washington State Ferries (WSF) will operate a one-boat schedule on the Port Townsend-Keystone ferry route. Vessels will leave Port Townsend and Keystone daily approximately every 90 minutes. To help clear vehicle traffic during busy travel days, WSF will add evening sailings on Friday and Sunday at 10 p.m. from Port Townsend and 10:45 p.m. from Keystone. This schedule will continue until the regular winter schedule goes into effect on Tuesday, October 9th.
WSF typically runs two boats on the Port Townsend-Keystone ferry route from Mother’s Day in May to Columbus Day in October. However, due to vessel availability, WSF is switching to the one-boat winter schedule approximately one month early. WSF expects some sailings to sell out early, especially on weekends, and travelers are advised to adjust their travel plans to avoid lengthy waits. Schedules, ferry wait times and other information are available at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.
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Gray Notebook Highlights - Capital Project Delivery
The June 30, 2007 edition of the Gray Notebook’s Beige Pages presents a quarterly assessment of WSDOT’s capital project delivery programs, offering a summarized ‘roll-up’ for 2003 Nickel and 2005 Transportation Partnership Account (TPA) funded highway construction projects. WSDOT has delivered 92 TPA and Nickel highway construction projects to date, with 91% being delivered on-time, 84% on-budget, and 76% were both on-time and on-budget. More detail on this and other key issues can be found at www.wsdot.wa.gov/accountability.
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September Meetings and Events
18, Tuesday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., State Transportation Commission Local Meeting, Wenatchee: The Washington State Transportation Commission will meet with local government officials, and business, industry representatives to share information and gain insight into transportation issues affecting the region. Location: Red Lion Wenatchee, Wenatchee Room, 1225 Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee.
20, Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Inland Northwest Regional Transportation Summit - Spokane: Individuals representing government, business, and community groups from the Greater Spokane economic region will converge for the Inland Northwest Regional Transportation Summit in Spokane. The Summit will set the stage for rural and urban leaders from the Inland Northwest to come together and discuss opportunities that lie before the region and work collaboratively in identifying transportation and economic development goals for the present and future. Location: Spokane Convention Center, 334 W Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane.
For more details, please visit the WSDOT Calendar of Events.
Weekly Report Archive
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