Date:
Monday, February 25, 2008
Contact:
Jeff Adamson, North Central Region Communications Manager, Wenatchee, (509) 667-2815, (509) 669-8778 Cell. E-mail: adamsoj@wsdot.wa.gov
Bob Romine, Project Engineer, Wenatchee, (509) 667-2880, E-mail: rominer@wsdot.wa.gov
WENATCHEE - In the spring of 2009, the unstable slopes above Rocky Reach Dam will be scaled and netted to stop rocks from falling onto US 97A, creating a safety hazard. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is holding a pair of open houses in Entiat and Wenatchee to find out what work schedule and traffic control plan will work best for those who use that corridor regularly.
- The first is on Wednesday, February 27th, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Grange Hall in Entiat (14108 Kinzel St).
- The second is on Thursday, February 28th, 3 to 7p.m. at our WSDOT Area 1 Conference Room at Olds Station in Wenatchee (2830 Euclid Avenue).
This project will stabilize three rock slopes above US 97A, four miles North of Wenatchee. It will include debris removal, rock scaling, installation of rock bolts and steel cable netting. The $6.7 million dollar project is currently in the design phase. It is scheduled to be advertised for private contractor bids this fall. This is the first of three phases of slope repair along US 97A and will be accomplished in 2009. Phase 2 will follow in 2010 and Phase 3 in 2012.
There is an obvious detour utilizing US 97 on the east bank of the Columbia River in Douglas County. Any detour is still an inconvenience so an acceptable traffic control plan for schools, transit, businesses, local commuters, truckers, travelers, and emergency service providers is a top priority. Significant planning and resources are being applied to put into place a public information program that will provide users with timely and accurate travel delay and road closure information, including:
- The project web page: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US97A/NWenatcheeSlope/
- WSDOT Traffic and Roads web pages.
- 5-1-1 telephone system.
- North Wenatchee’s Highway Advisory Radio (HAR).
- E-mail and faxes to media, businesses, schools, transit and emergency services.
- Electronic message signs on the highway.
- Local radio and newspapers.
< Back to News Home