Date:
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Contact:
Dave Chesson, Public Information Officer, (360) 757-5970 (Burlington)
Dave Crisman, Project Engineer, (360) 848-7103 (Mount Vernon)
DECEPTION PASS – WSDOT and its contractor Wilder Construction finished removing loose rocks and inserting rock bolts into the steep rock faces above State Route 20 last week; work that helps stabilize the hillside and protect drivers. Crews finished work and site clean up Thursday night and removed equipment over the weekend. The job was completed one day ahead of schedule and within its $650,000 projected cost.
Crews used scaling, tree removal, and installation of rock bolts and dowels to stabilize the slopes. In total crews removed approximately 600 cubic yards of rocks and trees, and inserted roughly 300 linear feet of rock bolts and 700 feet of rock dowels. Some of the rock bolts closer to the ground were grouted to enhance the natural look of the rock face and hide them from drivers.
“We want to thank drivers for their patience and for adjusting their schedules,” said project Engineer Dave Crisman. “We realize this work was an inconvenience for drivers”.
Slope stabilization requires specialized equipment along with engineering experience and expertise. Wilder Construction has recently done other slope stabilization jobs including the rock slide ditch on SR 20 east of Newhalem, and the I-90 rock slide repair.
Engineers used slope mapping, identification of specific rock-fall hazards, traffic counts, and lack of detour routes to rank these two locations as a priority. WSDOT geologists concluded that while there was no immediate danger, a greater risk existed here than at other locations within Washington.
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Drivers can now get real time traffic and weather information by dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. This new traveler information system builds upon the highly successful Washington State Highway hotline that managed 4.6 million calls each year. Callers can also use 5-1-1 to get statewide construction, mountain pass condition, and state ferry system information, as well as toll free numbers for passenger rail and airlines. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.
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