Date:
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Contact:
Rick Sjolander, Maintenance and Operations Manager, 360-905-2020
Mike Kesler, Washington State Patrol Public Information, 360-449-7960
Sylvia Ross, WSDOT Communications, 360-905-2058
LONGVIEW – In an effort to keep the public safe on I-5 during the impending implosion of PGE’s Trojan Cooling Tower, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) have planned to stop traffic from milepost 28 to milepost 34 in both directions during the implosion event. Rolling slowdowns will go into effect just prior to the stoppage of traffic.
Rolling slowdowns on I-5 will start at 6:45 a.m. to allow for traffic to be cleared from the area prior to the detonation. The tower is scheduled to be imploded at 7 am. It is anticipated that I-5 will be re-open within fifteen minutes of the implosion.
In preparation for the event, WSP units will be patrolling the area several hours prior to the incident to prevent vehicles from parking on or near the interstate.
Heavy dust resulting from the implosion is expected to move no further than one half mile from the tower. This distance is within the river banks and is not expected to cause a problem for I-5 traffic.
WSDOT and WSP personnel will be on site to assist with the closure and events related to the implosion. Additionally, one representative from the WSP and WSDOT will be stationed in the Unified Command Post (UCP) on the Trojan grounds in Oregon.
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Editor’s Note: Media members interested in this event should contact PGE Communications Office, 503-464-7078.
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