Date:
Friday, February 22, 2008
Contact:
Dustin Terpening, Communications - 360-757-5997
Chris Damitio, Project Engineer - 360-788-7403
LYNDEN – Construction work on the Guide Meridian (SR 539) is about to expand from five miles to 10, spanning nearly the entire length of the highway from Bellingham to Lynden.
WSDOT hired Max J. Kuney Company of Spokane for $53.9 million to widen the highway from two lanes to four from Ten Mile Road to Lynden. Their bid for the project was $1.2 million under the estimated cost for construction.
Crews will build roundabouts at Ten Mile, Wiser Lake, River and Pole roads to improve safety and relieve congestion.
The highway will also be divided with cable median barrier, and new bridges will span Wiser Lake and the Nooksack River.
Utility companies are moving water and power lines right now, and road construction should start in April.
Drivers can expect minimal delays and closures during the day. There will be delays and lane closures at night. On average 16,000 drivers use the Guide Meridian every day.
Crews are already widening the highway from Horton Road to Ten Mile Road. That work started in 2007 and should finish this fall.
The total project cost for the Ten Mile to Lynden project is $101.6 million, which includes all the costs for design and right of way. Construction is planned to finish fall 2009.
For more details about roundabouts and their safety benefits, and information about the project, visit the project Web page, www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR539/TenMileBorder/.
E-mail updates are available to anyone who would like to stay informed about the project. Visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/EmailUpdates.htm and sign up for Whatcom County e-mail updates.
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