Date:
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Contact:
Dave Chesson, WSDOT Communications, (360) 757-5997 (Burlington)
Chris Damitio, Project Engineer, (360) 788-7400 (Bellingham)
BLAINE – WSDOT broke ground today on a project that will dramatically improve the fourth busiest commercial truck crossing on the U.S. and Canada border. Over the next three years crews will convert State Route 543 through Blaine from a narrow and congested two-lane roadway into a safer and more efficient five-lane highway, including lanes designated for trucks. The aggressive construction schedule will have the new lanes open by fall 2008.
Today is an important milestone for this project. In June crews will start drilling 1,000 shafts into the soil beneath the highway. The shafts will eventually support the new D Street overpass and retaining walls.
“The shafts are the backbone of this project and must be completed before we can move ahead with adding more lanes,” said Assistant Regional Administrator Todd Harrison. “When we’re finished, cars and trucks will use their own designated lanes to move across the border more safely and efficiently.”
An average of 2,000 trucks a day use the Blaine truck crossing. And every day they back up causing congestion and delays on the mile-long highway. When construction is complete, the new designated truck lane and D Street overpass will improve safety, relieve congestion and expedite freight movement across the border. Crews will shift the truck lane to the east side of the Duty Free stores to align with the commercial inspection booths at the border.
“The new truck lane will open the door for the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program,” said Congressman Rick Larsen. “With FAST the driver, truck and cargo are all pre-approved. It will change the way business operates at the border and give our economy a boost.”
WSDOT will lower the highway 25 feet and build a new overpass at D Street to reconnect the community and make it easier and safer for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians to pass from one side of town to the other.
“This is a win-win project for the community of Blaine and the commercial trucking industry,” said Representative Doug Ericksen. “It is a prime example of how money from the 2003 transportation budget is supporting good projects and making a difference.”
This $35 million project is primarily funded through the state’s 2003 Transportation Funding package, which increased the gas tax by a nickel to provide money for transportation improvements.
WSDOT will close the existing truck storage lane in June, reducing the highway to two lanes. This will make room for crews to start lowering the highway. Congestion will increase because trucks and passenger vehicles will have to share one lane. Drivers should prepare for delays and plan ahead.
For more project information and to sign up for an email distribution list, visit our project Web page at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr543/i5_canadian.
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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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