Project of the Week - Innovative Plan to Save Time Proves Successful in Redmond
WSDOT's contractor, Tri-State Construction used an innovative technique to build the structure for the new flyover ramp connecting SR 202 and SR 520. |
Drivers who use SR 202 or the far east end of SR 520 in Redmond have noticed a flurry of construction activity in recent days. The planned flyover ramp from westbound 202 to westbound 520 is really starting to take shape. The project took a major leap forward on Thursday and Friday of last week when contractor Tri-State Construction made good on its plan to try something new in hopes of saving time and money.
Usually a bridge goes together like this: build the columns, build the scaffolding, build the crossbeam, put up the girders. But this time, things were done differently: build the columns and the crossbeams simultaneously, bring in a 500-ton crane for two days and lift the 100-ton crossbeam into place by threading 28 pieces of rebar through 4-inch holes. The beams were in place within two hours. This
traffic camera offers a look at the new structures.
“We’ll save several weeks with this construction method,” said Aleta Borschowa, WSDOT project engineer. If this construction method gets the statewide stamp of approval, it could be used to save time and money on other projects as well. And that’s great news for morning commuters who are anxious to see those two-mile back ups onto SR 520 go away. The flyover ramp is scheduled to open this spring.
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Incident of the Week - IRT's Combined Efforts Rescue Stranded Husband and Wife
On Friday, Sept. 7, WSDOT’s Incident Response Team (IRT) member Ryan Hottell received a call from the Washington State Patrol (WSP) just before 10 a.m., alerting him to a disabled vehicle on I-5 in Lewis County.
Hottell found a disabled U-Haul truck on the shoulder of southbound I-5. As he arrived on scene, Hottell was greeted by the driver who informed him that the truck had a severe mechanical problem. When he realized the problem, the driver had immediately pulled over onto the shoulder of the highway. However, due to the incline of the roadway at that location, the disabled truck began to roll backwards onto the highway. The driver acted quickly and jammed a few pieces of wood under the wheels of the U-Haul truck to keep it from blocking traffic. Once they stabilized the truck, Hottell learned that the driver had been on his way to White Pass, nearly 70 miles away, in the U-Haul to help his wife who was also stranded along the highway with a disabled pickup truck.
Hottell contacted IRT Coordinator Randy Bateman who began efforts to get the necessary parts for the stalled pickup truck near White Pass. Bateman contacted Morton and White Pass Maintenance Technicians Rick Magnuson and Ken Bethje with details of the situation and they quickly offered to help. As Magnuson and Bethje headed towards White Pass to assist with the stalled pickup, Hottell cleared the disabled U-Haul truck on I-5 at approximately 10:44 a.m. In a collaborative effort among emergency crews, both the driver of the truck and his wife were rescued and traffic along the interstate was able to continue without further interruption.
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Update of Projects Under Way
I-5 Fort Lewis - More brake-tapping and backups are predicted through the Interstate 5 (I-5) military corridor starting September 16 due to ramp closures for Fort Lewis construction. WSDOT agreed to close the Fort Lewis North Gate off-ramps at milepost 120 for approximately 10 weeks while Fort Lewis makes improvements on the base, located just south of Lakewood in Pierce County. Drivers headed to North Fort Lewis should detour to exit 119 at DuPont-Steilacoom Road, a mile south of the Fort Lewis North Gate off-ramp.
SR 20 Deception Pass - WSDOT will start construction September 17, on a project to rebuild almost half of the SR 20 guardrail that runs through Deception Pass State Park. The $5.5 million project will replace the most collision-prone sections of the unique 1930's stone masonry posts and Douglas fir railing. The new guardrail will retain the look and feel of the original, while meeting current safety standards. Crews will also widen a section of SR 20 north of Cornet Bay Road and install a two-way left turn lane. Construction was held off until September to minimize traffic congestion during the busy summer tourist season.
SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct - In October, crews will begin strengthening columns of the Alaskan Way Viaduct between Columbia Street and Yesler Way. This section of the viaduct has settled approximately five inches since the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, and these repairs will allow the viaduct to remain open for traffic until we begin to remove the structure in 2012. Work will cease during the winter holiday season (between Thanskgiving and January 1). No lane closures on the viaduct will be required. The one block area under the viaduct between Columbia Street and Yesler Way will be closed during construction. The work will be completed in spring 2008.
SR 99 Federal Way - On Sept. 7, crews opened new HOV lanes in both directions of SR 99 between S. 284th Street and S. 272nd Street. Drivers now have a total of six lanes in the area, three northbound and three southbound. “This is a major milestone for the SR 99 corridor in South King County,” said Project Engineer Mike Askarian. “What’s more, we open these lanes a month early.” This project is WSDOT’s part in a master plan to improve traffic flow and safety on SR 99 from Federal Way to the Seattle city limits by adding HOV lanes and other improvements.
SR 167 Renton - Next week (September 15 -21) crews working for the WSDOT will be paving and preparing the shoulders for future widening on southbound SR 167 in Renton. Nighttime work will require lane closures between the I-405/SR 167 interchange. The I-405 Renton Widening Project, also known as the I-405/I-5 to SR 169 Stage 1 - Widening Project, is the first stage of improvements on I-405 between I-5 and State Route 167. This work will help relieve congestion at one of the worst I-405 bottlenecks by adding lanes and improving merging conditions for the drive in and out of Renton and Tukwila.
SR 503 Darrington - WSDOT has hired contractor Wilder Construction Inc. for emergency repair work to prevent SR 530 from collapsing into the Sauk River north of Darrington. Crews will armor the riverbank with more than 100 evergreen trees and 15,000 tons of boulders. The trees and boulders will be clumped together into 12 piles that project from the riverbank towards the river. “This design will help shield the highway from the river and minimize scour of the riverbank over the long term,” said WSDOT engineer Sam Chi. “Ultimately, this should save the road.” Work is expected to start before the end of the month and finish in early November.
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Announcements
Outstanding local projects chosen for awards by FHWA and WSDOT
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and WSDOT announced the 2007 Awards of Excellence. Projects completed by the cities of Seattle and Tacoma, the Town of Odessa, and Grays Harbor County were recognized as the “best of the best” of local agency transportation projects funded by FHWA. The award categories were Best City Project, Best County Project, Best Special Project, and the Director’s Award. Winners are:
- Best City Project: City of Seattle Northgate Revitalization
- Best County Project: Grays Harbor County Cougar Smith Road
- Best Special Project: City of Tacoma Downtown Redevelopment
- Director’s Award: Town of Odessa State Route 21 Realignment Project
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Gray Notebook Highlight - Washington's Bridge Inventory
As reported in the Gray Notebook's Bridge Annual Update, WSDOT's inventory of vehicle bridges increased from 2,978 to 2,990 since June 2006. The increase is due to new bridges being built and older bridges being replaced within the highway system. WSDOT constructed 99 vehicle bridges in excess of 20 feet in length from 2002 to 2006, an average of about 20 per year. During the same period, the number of vehicle bridges under 20 feet in length increased from 263 to 325. Concrete structures represent approximately 78 percent of all WSDOT bridges, as compared to 21 percent steel and one percent wood. The average age of all WSDOT bridges is 40 years old. More details on this topic and other key issues can be found in the June 2007 Gray Notebook at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/accountability.
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September Open Houses, 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.
18, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Ferry Advisory Committee Meeting, Vashon Island: Washington State Ferries and local Ferry Advisory Committees will hold a series of public meetings throughout the Puget Sound. WSF staff and committee members will discuss a number of operational and service issues, including electronic fare system, results of a recent Origin and Destination survey, and schedule changes. A public comment period will be held at the end of each meeting. Location: McMurray Middle School, 9329 SW Cemetary Road, Vashon Island.
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.
20, Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Ferry Advisory Committee Meeting, Port Townsend: Washington State Ferries and local Ferry Advisory Committees will hold a series of public meetings throughout the Puget Sound. WSF staff and committee members will discuss a number of operational and service issues, including electronic fare system, results of a recent Origin and Destination survey, and schedule changes. A public comment period will be held at the end of each meeting. Location: Fort Worden, 200 Battery Way, Company C, Port Townsend.
24, Monday, 5 - 8 p.m., Open House, Alaskan Way Viaduct & Seawall Replacement Program - Seattle: Learn about proposed roadway improvements from South Holgate to South King Streets, which accounts for about 40 percent of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Location: Starbucks Support Center, 2401 Utah Avenue South, Seattle.
For more details, please visit the WSDOT Calendar of Events.
Weekly Report Archive
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