Date:
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Contact:
Rich Hensley, Chehalis Area Engineer, (866) 713-2412 (toll-free)
Alissa Bateman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 600-2081 (Vancouver)
CHEHALIS – Emergency repairs to stabilize SR 508 near Bear Canyon will begin April 23, announced the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The highway was closed just east of Cinebar, near Bear Canyon, after November’s heavy rains caused severe roadway damage. The contract was awarded to Scarsella Brothers of Seattle who submitted the winning bid of $3,187,543.
Through this project, crews will rebuild and stabilize the slope. Crews will begin by excavating the loose materials, until they come to stable bedrock located under the unstable debris. Crews will then rebuild the embankment with a “soldier pile wall” that is more than 450 feet long. The wall will be made of steel piles, timber lagging and ground anchors that will stabilize the slope. It will tie into an existing wall. After the roadway embankment is reconstructed, the highway will be resurfaced and re-striped. Guardrail will also be installed. A complete closure is expected to remain until late June; when safely possible, crews will reopen one lane to motorists. Construction is expected to last between 2 and 3 months.
The road has been closed since early November, when heavy rains contributed to the unstable slope. The damage to the roadway was so severe, geotechnical specialists had to wait for the landslide to stabilize before they could begin the necessary field work to evaluate the repairs. Since that time, engineers have worked to design the necessary repairs. Design was particularly complex due to the geometry of the highway, soil and rock conditions, and environmental constraints.
This unstable section of SR 508 remains closed to motorists, as well as to pedestrians and bicycles. WSDOT urges the public to stay out of the closure area due to instability of the roadway.
The detour that remains is as follows:
East of Cinebar
Motorists east of Cinebar on SR 508 are detoured to US 12 in Morton.
West of Cinebar
Motorists west of Cinebar on SR 508 are detoured to I-5 south, then to US 12.
For more information about the SR 508 Emergency project, visit the Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR508/BearCanyon or call the Chehalis Area Engineering office toll-free at 1-866-713-2412.
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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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