Date:
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Contact:
Joanna Lowrey, Columbia Gorge Assistant Area Engineer, (360) 905-2071 (Vancouver)
Sylvia Ross, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2058 (Vancouver)
GOLDENDALE – Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is extending the closure of SR 142 in Klickitat County to September 18, 2006. Starting on September 19, through the end of September, one lane will open with traffic control on site.
The road closure was originally scheduled to conclude at the end of August, but complications at the construction site have delayed critical items of work. This will extend the number of days required to complete this project. The alternate route during this extension will remain as before - SR 14 to SR 97.
WSDOT’s contractor has had difficulties controlling groundwater at the project site. These difficulties have prevented the contractor from completing the work on the original schedule. Unfortunately, this extended the life of the existing road closure.
When completed, this project will improve habitat and movement for native fish through the Bowman Creek culvert and the Snyder Canyon Creek culvert under State Route 142. The contract, funded through the WSDOT Ecological Retrofit Program, was awarded to Wilder Construction Company of Portland, Ore.
The project is taking place at Snyder Creek (mileposts 13.28 - 13.43) and at Bowman Creek (mileposts 20.15 - 20.25) along SR 142. The existing culvert at Bowman Creek is being replaced with a new bridge and the channel is being rebuilt with streambed materials to simulate natural conditions. Another section of the project at Snyder Creek includes rebuilding the end of an existing box culvert and restoring the streambed. In their previous condition, these culverts acted as fish barriers, preventing fish from moving upstream. This project will help to provide access to good quality habitat, which is a key component to the recovery of listed salmonids.
For more information about the SR 142 Bowman and Snyder Creek Fish Barrier Removal project, please contact WSDOT’s Columbia Gorge Area Engineering Office by phone (866-279-0730) or visit the project webpage at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR142/BowmanSnyderCreekFish/.
Advance warning signs will be placed ahead of the construction area, and motorists are asked to observe and adhere to the posted speed limits when driving through the work zone. Motorists are also reminded that all traffic fines are doubled within a construction work zone when workers are present (RCW 46.61.527).
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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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