Date:
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Contact:
Chris Tams, Assistant Area Engineer, 360-905-1325
Sylvia Ross, Communications Manager, 360-905-2058
VANCOUVER – Rock slide repairs on State Route 14 in the Columbia River Gorge area will cause lane closures and delays between December 21 and December 30, announced the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The closures will occur between towns of Home Valley and Cook at milepost 54.7 and will cause traffic delays. The safety work will begin at 7 a.m. and go until 4 p.m. each day. During the repairs motorists can expect 20 minute delays, with alternating one-way traffic along this stretch of SR 14.
The repairs are necessary to prevent rocks from entering SR 14 due to a de-stabilizing rockslide which happened last week. The crews will excavate the loose rock from behind the existing rock wall adjacent to the roadway. This excavation will provide catchments for rocks before they enter SR 14. WSDOT will use variable message signs to alert motorists to the delays at the Bridge of the Gods and in the immediate vicinity of the work area. Motorists can use I-84 as an alternative route.
Rockslides have caused deadly consequences in both Washington and Oregon in the past couple of months, including the fatal rockslide on I-90 west of Snoqualmie Pass in September, and a more recent rockslide on I-84 in Oregon. WSDOT is taking precautions to secure this unstable slope and prevent possible damage to motorists traveling on highway below, as well as the adjacent railroad, and the crew on site.
###
< Back to News Home