Project of the Week - How WSDOT Plans to Reduce Closures on I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass
Each year, Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass is closed an average of 120 hours, affecting the economic vitality of Washington State and the quality of life for many citizens. Of these closures, 85 hours are due to natural avalanches and avalanche control work.
The I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project will reduce the number of avalanche closures. This design-visualization image shows how the new snowshed may appear when completed. |
WSDOT will improve 15 miles of I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass when construction begins on the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project.
A main feature of the project will be replacing the existing 500 foot long snowshed structure with one that is more than twice its length at 1100 feet.
The new snowshed will also cover both the east and west bound lanes of I-90, reducing both the duration and number of avalache-related closures of I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass.
In addition to reducing the number of closures on I-90, WSDOT will address congestion by adding a lane in each direction. We will also replace deteriorated pavement with a new roadway surface that will last 50 years. The projects helps improve safety by stabilizing rock slopes along the length of the project corridor, extending chain on and off areas, and straightening a number of sharp curves to improve sight distance. We are also improving habitat connectivity and reducing the number of collisions between vehicles and animals by building wildlife crossings.
WSDOT received funding for the first five miles of the project from Hyak to Keechelus Dam – additional funding is required to complete the entire 15 miles. The next step for the I-90 project team is to publish the Final Environmental Impact Statement in summer 2008. WSDOT will turn dirt and begin heavy construction spring 2010.
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Incident of the Week - IRT Member Spots a Potential Safety Hazard, Sets Repairs in Motion
On Tuesday, Nov. 20, an Incident Response Team (IRT) member on his normal patrol noticed an expansion joint sticking up on northbound I-405 near Southcenter mall. Knowing that a popped expansion joint can cause drivers to swerve or cause damage to cars, he reported the problem immediately. Bridge and maintenance crews decided to make an emergency repair requiring two of three lanes to be closed right at the beginning of the afternoon commute.
Crews worked quickly to weld the expansion joint back into place as traffic began to back up on both directions of I-5. In about 45 minutes, crews had reopened the lanes but promised to be back later. They knew that one of the busiest travel weekends was hours away and this road that parallels a major mall would see a lot of traffic over the weekend. So they returned later that night when traffic volumes were lower and made sure that the expansion joint wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon.
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Update of Projects Under Way
I-90 Snoqualmie Pass - This past summer and fall, we slowed I-90 traffic for short intervals as a precautionary measure while low flying helicopters carried heavy drilling equipment along the steep slopes of Snoqualmie Pass. The equipment was used to collect data for the upcoming I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East – Hyak to Keechelus Dam Project . The drill work is complete for the season and will resume in the spring.
SR 123 Cayuse Pass - A section of SR 123 (Cayuse Pass) within Mount Rainier National Park reopened on Nov. 21, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. The highway has been closed from the SR 410/SR 123 junction to Stevens Canyon Road since Nov. 13 after several large rocks fell onto the highway from the hillside above the northbound lane. Federal geotechnical experts examined the hillside above the highway and determined that two large rocks of concern are stable and the road is safe for travel.
SR 527 Mill Creek - We’re more than halfway finished building a new signal and making other improvements at the intersection of 186th Place SE and SR 527 in Mill Creek. From now until mid-December, expect to see nighttime closures of SR 527 while crews install wiring for the new signal and stripe the roadway. We expect to wrap up the work by Dec. 7, but could be delayed by bad weather.
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Announcements
WSDOT Regional Mobility Grants Help Clark County Commuters
Clark County C-TRAN (Transit System) officials held a ribbon-cutting on Nov. 16 to celebrate the completion of the new 99th Street Transit Center and expanded bus service. These projects were paid for in part through $1.19 million in WSDOT Regional Mobility Grants.
The 99th Street Transit Center will support expanded bus service on the highly congested I-5 route across the Washington/Oregon border. “This transit center and 12 additional daily round trips make commuting by bus an even better option for Clark County commuters, who want less time gripping the steering wheel in traffic and more time for more important things,” stated Paula Hammond, WSDOT Secretary of Transportation. “These improvements provide some immediate help for commuters while we continue to work with Oregon and local communities on the Columbia River Crossing project.”
A 2005 WSDOT Regional Mobility Grant provided $600,000 for access road and intersection improvements near the transit center. A 2007 grant provided $590,000 for the express bus service from the transit center to Portland, Ore. In addition to higher levels of rush hour service, the project adds a mid-day and late evening connection between downtown Portland, the 99th Street Transit Center and the Salmon Creek Park and Ride. Every day 130,300 vehicles cross the I-5 Interstate Bridge over the Columbia River.
Steel Electric Ferries Pulled from Service
Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond on Nov. 20 announced that Washington State Ferries (WSF) would pull all Steel Electric class vessels out of service. This means that the Port Townsend-Keystone car ferry route is closed until further notice. Check the Washington State Ferries News for the most up-to-date information on the Port Townsend-Keystone route.
Washington State Ferries owns four 80-year-old Steel Electric class vessels – Quinault, Klickitat, Illahee and Nisqually. These vessels predominantly serve the Port Townsend-Keystone and San Juan Islands inter-island routes. They are the only ferries in the system capable of operating in Keystone’s narrow and shallow harbor.
“After meeting with staff concerning the most recent inspections of the Steel Electric hulls, I have decided that we must pull these ferries from service to examine each of the hulls more extensively,” said Hammond. “Ongoing work on the Quinault has revealed significant hull pitting along the keel that likely extends to all four Steel Electric vessels.”
“Safety is our number one priority,” said Hammond. “It cannot be compromised. We have kept up with the repairs on these vessels, but we are at a turning point that requires emergency action."
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Gray Notebook Highlight - Washington Grain Train
The Washington Grain Train is a financially self-sustaining transportation program that supports the state's agricultural communities and helps short-line railroads maintain a sufficient customer base for long-term financial viability. The program started in the early 1990s as a way to address a shortage of rail hopper cars. The State Energy Office and WSDOT used federal funds to purchase 29 used grain cars to carry wheat and barley from loading facilities in eastern Washington to export facilities in western Washington. Today, the Washington Grain Train has over 2,500 cooperative members and 89 grain cars (71 owned by the state and 18 owned by the Port of Walla Walla). Use of the grain cars remains strong. Total carloads for the second quarter of 2007 increased 12 percent over the second quarter of 2006. In the second quarter of 2007, 486 carloads were shipped compared to 434 carloads for same period of 2006.
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December Open Houses, Meetings and Events
4, Tuesday, 4 - 7 p.m., Open House, US 97 Biggs Bridge Deck Replacement - Rufus, Oregon: WSDOT project team members will hold an open house to share information about the upcoming construction project. The team will discuss the planned work and associated traffic impacts, including nighttime lane closures and a full closure starting in January. Location: Rufus Community Center, 304 W. 2nd Street, Rufus, OR.
5, Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Grand Opening, SR 543 Widening - Blaine: WSDOT will celebrate the grand opening of the newly widened and improved State Route 543 in Blaine. We will open the northbound FAST lane Dec. 5 to celebrate all the work that has transformed the highway from a two-lane road to a wider, safer five-lane highway. The new FAST lane will immediately reduce congestion, shorten wait times and save money for commercial vehicles crossing the border. FAST (Free and Secure Trade) allows pre-approved commercial vehicles to quickly cross the border, saving time and money, much like how Nexus works for passenger vehicles. The $43 million widening project will improve freight mobility and reconnect the city of Blaine. Contact Dustin Terpening (terpenid@wsdot.wa.gov or 360-757-5997) for additional details about the ceremony.
10, Monday, 11 a.m., Ribbon Cutting, Travel Washington Grape Line - Walla Walla: Intercity bus service is about to be restored to southeast Washington from Walla Walla to Pasco and beyond. WSDOT and local officials are celebrating the new Grape Line service, which will be the first in a series of new intercity routes using the Travel Washington tradename. Location: 320 W. Main Street, Walla Walla.
11 & 12, Tuesday & Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monthly Meeting, State Transportation Commission - Olympia: The Washington State Transportation Commission, an independent state agency, provides a public forum for transportation policy development. It reviews and evaluates how the transportation system works across the state and issues the state’s 20-year Transportation Plan. As the State Tolling Authority, the Commission sets tolls for state highways and bridges and fares for Washington State Ferries. A public comment period is scheduled for Tuesday at 4:45. Location: Transportation Building, Commission Boardroom, 310 Maple Park Avenue SE, Olympia.
For more details, please visit the WSDOT Calendar of Events.
Weekly Report Archive
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