A Weekly Summary of WSDOT News and Activities
Washington Jobs Now - ARRA funds help to improve safety on Washington’s highways
Cable barrier installed along a section of I-5 near Bellingham prevented this semi-truck from crossing the median. |
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds are not only putting people back to work, but the funding will help get those workers to jobs with greater safety. Work along Interstate 5 near Nisqually in Pierce County gets under way this month as part of a statewide stimulus project to retrofit nearly 30 miles of cable median barriers.
Cable median barrier reduces the potential of vehicles crossing the median and involving other vehicles in head-on collisions. WSDOT’s 2009 Cable Median Barrier Reassessment and Recommendations Update confirms that cable median barrier is an effective strategy for reducing cross-median collisions and saving lives. Our analysis shows a 59 percent reduction in fatal and serious injury collisions in and across the median, and a 61 percent reduction in cross-median collisions for all injury severities.
The cable barrier at Nisqually is one of three locations on highways in northwest Washington where crews will replace existing sections of three-strand, low-tension cable barrier with four-strand, high-tension barrier, which is easier to maintain. As part of the northwest Washington contract, sections of low-tension cable barrier on I-90 and SR 18 will also be replaced. The high-tension cable barrier is designed to provide increased tension that keeps the cable taut even if some of the posts are knocked down. This increases the likelihood that the cable barrier will continue to provide some protection after a collision until the system can be repaired.
WSDOT awarded contracts for similar work on 15 miles of I-5 in southwest Washington and more than seven miles of I-90 in eastern Washington. The $9 million statewide cable barrier retrofit is fully funded through ARRA and is estimated to support 90 jobs.
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Maintenance & Operations feature - WSDOT prepares for possible Green River flooding
Crews at WSDOT's Kent Maintenance facility filled these giant sandbags and then hauled them a short distance to the SR 167 highway shoulder just north of 277th in Kent. |
Like many who have property along the Green River in King and Pierce counties, WSDOT is taking steps to prepare for the possibility of flooding by shoring up sections of state highways in case the river tops its banks.
In January 2009, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers discovered problems with the Howard Hanson Dam. In response, the Corps of Engineers will release more water into the Green River this winter, increasing the chances of downstream flooding in the Green River Valley to a one in four chance. Green River Valley flooding could affect state highways in Tukwila, Renton, Kent and Auburn.
WSDOT and contractor crews have three projects on their to-do list: sandbag a short section of SR 167 in Kent, apply additional material to protect a vulnerable bridge pier on SR 18 and protect signal cabinets that keep electrical systems like the HOT lanes, traffic cameras and overhead signs running during a flood.
Taking these preparations now will help ensure the highways stay open for the public and emergency vehicles for as long as possible during a flood event.
WSDOT continues to support our neighbor agencies in many other ways, though most are not visible by drivers on the state highways. WSDOT is coordinating with multiple agencies on evacuation, life-safety, traffic control, freight mobility and communications plans.
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Update of projects under way
I-90 Spokane - Roadway repair work for the Interstate 90 Spokane area rut repair and ramp resurfacing project lanes is complete. Crews are installing signs within the project area. Project work included smoothing the concrete by grinding from Division Street to the Hamilton Interchange. From Hamilton to Custer Street (near Havana) the concrete was resurfaced with an asphalt overlay. In addition, a majority of the on and off ramps between the Geiger Interchange and the Sullivan Road were resurfaced, a number of the freeway signs will be replaced, and some sections of guardrail upgraded. As part of this project, some short sections of adjacent city streets were also paved.
SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct - WSDOT bridge inspection crews report that they found no new settlement or structural damage during the inspection of the State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct in October. In addition to measuring existing cracks and settlement of the viaduct, the closure allowed crews to take care of a few regular maintenance items. Crews repaired worn or damaged expansion joints, bridge rails, service lighting, drainage systems and traffic cameras. They also serviced and cleaned the walls and ventilation systems in the Battery Street Tunnel. WSDOT crews conduct inspections every three months to monitor the viaduct’s condition and keep drivers safe. Next March, crews will begin work to replace the viaduct between S. Holgate and S. King streets with a new side-by-side roadway that has wider lanes, meets current earthquake standards and improves mobility for people and goods in the south of downtown area.
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Announcements
WSDOT selects Atkinson Construction for stimulus-funded I-405 braided ramps project
WSDOT selected Guy F. Atkinson Construction, LLC to build the I-405, NE Eighth Street to SR 520 Braided Ramps project. Atkinson Construction of Renton, WA submitted the apparent best value proposal of $107.5 million to complete design and construction on the project. The project is known as the “Bellevue Braids” because the ramps linking I-405 to SR 520 look like braids.
The project is located on I-405 between NE Eighth Street and SR 520, and on SR 520 from I-405 to 124th Avenue NE. When completed the project improvements will help address congestion at the I-405/SR 520 intersection by:
- Improving safety and commute times by eliminating traffic weaves that contribute up to eight hours of congestion a day in Bellevue
- Addressing traffic flow by tackling back-ups on the highest volume ramp on the I-405 corridor from northbound I-405 to eastbound SR 520
- Improving congestion on eastbound SR 520 in the vicinity of 124th Avenue NE ramp, leading in to the busy Northrop business district in Bellevue
- Reducing congestion on NE 8th street, improving local access, and traffic flow in downtown Bellevue
- Enhancing local pedestrian and bicycle access with a new, longer, wider NE 12th Street bridge
While the bulk of the funding comes from the 2005 Transportation Partnership Account (TPA) gas tax, the Bellevue Braids was recognized as a critical “shovel-ready” project, receiving $30 million from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to advance the schedule. This Recovery Act funding, together with the quick response by local and state legislators, will result in drivers getting the fix and a safer roadway approximately one year earlier. Atkinson estimates the construction project will directly support more than 300 construction jobs.
WSDOT seeks bids for second construction contract of I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project
WSDOT is gearing up to tackle the second construction contract of an interstate improvement project on I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass, and is requesting bids from contractors to re-construct the corridor. The construction contract for the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East – Hyak to Keechelus Dam project is estimated to cost between $100 million and $150 million and will support approximately 1,500 jobs over the next three years.
Set to break ground in spring 2010, this contract calls for making improvements to the first three miles of a five-mile long project corridor, starting at Hyak (milepost 55.1) and ending near the Lake Keechelus Snowshed (milepost 58.1). Improvements include:
- Adding a new lane in each direction
- Replacing deteriorated pavement of existing lanes and shoulders
- Adding and replacing bridges and culverts
- Stabilizing rock slopes
- Extending chain up / off areas
- Adding illumination, traffic cameras, and variable message signs
In fall 2010, WSDOT will advertise the third construction contract of the I-90 Project, which will continue making improvements on the remaining two project miles from the snowshed to Keechelus Dam. The contract is estimated to cost upward of $200 million.
WSDOT received $595 million from the Washington State Legislature’s 2005 Transportation Partnership Account to design and construct the first five miles of the 15-mile long I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Corridor program.
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November open houses, meetings and events
9, Monday, 6 - 8 p.m., WSF Community meeting - Vashon: WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF) is holding a community meeting to provide updates on ferry issues specific to Vashon and regarding preparations for the 2010 Legislative session. This is an opportunity for people to provide comments on ferry system issues. Location: McMurray Middle School, 9329 SW Cemetary Road, Vashon.
10, Tuesday, 9 a.m - noon, Workgroup meeting, SR 520 Legislative Workgroup - Seattle: SR 520 Legislative Workgroup members that participate in the west side subgroup will meet to identify and discuss recommendations for the SR 520 west side design option. Location: UW Waterfront Activities Center, 3900 Montlake Blvd. NE, Seattle.
10, Tuesday, 6 - 8 p.m., WSF Community meeting - Kingston: WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF) is holding a community meeting to provide updates on ferry issues specific to Kingston and regarding preparations for the 2010 Legislative session. This is an opportunity for people to provide comments on ferry system issues. Location: Kingston Community Center, 11212 State Hwy 104, Kingston.
11, Wednesday, noon - 1:30, WSF Community meeting - Anacortes: The Anacortes Rotary Club is hosting a meeting with WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF). In this meeting WSF staff will provide updates on ferry issues specific to Anacortes and regarding preparations for the 2010 Legislative session. This is an opportunity for people to provide comments on ferry system issues. Location: Masonic Hall, 1019 8th Street, Anacortes.
13, Friday, 11 a.m., project celebration and overpass dedication, I-5 Smokey Point interchange - Arlington: Community members are invited to join WSDOT and local officials as they celebrate completion of the I-5 Smokey Point Interchange project and dedicate the SR 531 (172nd Street) overpass in honor of Oliver "Punks" Smith. Location: Medallion Hotel, 16710 Smokey Point Boulevard, Arlington.
For more details, please visit the WSDOT Calendar of Events.
Express Lane Archive
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