Stimulus News You Can Use is one way WSDOT is working to keep transportation stakeholders updated on the fast-moving effort to put people to work and improve the state’s infrastructure. Each edition will have information on project delivery and highlights. Sign up to receive stimulus news e-mail updates . Visit the Newsletter Archive for earlier editions.
December 2, 2010
This week's stimulus update
Stimulus-funded rumble strip and cable median barrier projects completed – In November, WSDOT contractors completed the last of the Recovery Act-funded projects that improved or installed cable median barriers and centerline rumble strips to help prevent cross over collisions on Washington highways.
The state Recovery Act plan dedicated $9 million in stimulus funds for cable median barrier improvements and $3 million for rumble strip projects. WSDOT and its contractors completed or upgraded 71 miles of cable median barrier and installed 808 miles of centerline rumble strips. While the projects are operationally complete, some work may still be underway.
The cable median barrier projects installed 42 miles of new high-tension cable median barrier and replaced 29 miles of low-tension cable barrier with high-tension cable barrier that is easier to maintain. The increased tension keeps the cable taut even after some posts are knocked down.
The centerline rumble strips are ground into the existing pavement to alert drivers when they are crossing over into the opposing lane. The bulk of the projects were completed as part of three separate contracts. In addition, five Recovery Act-funded pavement preservation projects included installing rumble strips as part of the work.
An analysis of 493 miles of completed rumble strips published in June 2010 showed a 44.5% reduction in cross over collisions and a 48.6% reduction in fatal and serious injury collisions. An October 2009 statewide review of Before and After data on cable median barrier projects showed a 48% reduction in fatal and serious injury collisions.
Highway stimulus delivery (dollars in millions)
Individual highway projects | State | Local | Total |
|---|
Project Delivery |
Operationally complete | 37 (75%) | 136 (80%) | 173 (79%) |
Awarded/under way | 49 (100%) | 164 (95%) | 213 (97%) |
Advertised | 49 (100%) | 167 (98%) | 216 (98%) |
Certified | 49 | 170 | 219 |
Spending Update |
Funding allocated | $340 | $152 | $492 |
Amount expended | $246.1 (72%) | 126.7 (83%) | 372.8 (76%) |
| | | |
Recovery Act project announcements and updates:
Construction takes a winter break on Lewis and Clark Bridge – Earlier this fall, contractor crews on the SR 433, Lewis and Clark Bridge Painter project wrapped the south end of the bridge with cables in preparation for painting work to restore and preserve the historic bridge. Winter weather is not conducive for painting, so crews moved off the roadway in November, but will leave the cables. A height restriction of 16.5 feet has been in effect on the bridge since crews began work in September, and will remain in place throughout the project.
The cables wrapped around the bridge’s outside structure form the framework for containment platforms that will enclose workers and materials during painting work. Crews will use the platforms next spring while sandblasting and repainting the steel supports above the roadway. The $40 million project, which received $12.3 million in Recovery Act funds, is scheduled to be complete by fall 2013.
Recently completed projects:
Port of Bremerton - Industrial Connector Phase 1
Lakewood - Traffic Signal Upgrade Recently awarded projects:
Ferry County – Countywide Guardrail Recovery Act employment update:
October Data | State | Local | October Total | Notes |
|---|
| | | | |
Payroll (in millions) | $3.6 | $3.2 | $6.8 million | $139 million to date |
Labor hours | 81,699 | 85,371 | 167,040 | 3.6 million to date |
Monthly FTEs (173 hours per monthly FTE) | 472 | 494 | 966 | 1,732 yearly FTEs to date (2080 hours per FTE) |
Employees | 1,339 | 2,361 | 3,700 | Note: Not a count of unique employees |
Note: Includes all labor on projects receiving Recovery Act Federal Highway Administration funds. |
Last revised on December 15, 2010