Date:
Friday, June 06, 2008
Contact:
Casey Liles, WSDOT Project Engineer, (360) 905-1537 (Vancouver)
Sylvia Ross, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2058 (Vancouver)
VANCOUVER – Starting next week, drivers along northbound I-205 may begin seeing orange barrels and construction equipment in the vicinity of the Mill Plain exit. A project that will provide a direct connection for motorists traveling to NE 112th Avenue from the northbound I-205 off-ramp at Mill Plain Boulevard begins construction Monday, June 9, announces the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
This partnership project between WSDOT and the City of Vancouver. Contractor crews will construct a new bridge over the direct connection to NE 112th Avenue in place of the existing northbound I-205 on-ramp. Temporary ramps will be constructed adjacent to the work zones to allow construction crews to safely build the new bridge and 112th connection. The new connection to NE 112th Avenue will provide motorists exiting northbound I-205 with direct access to NE 112th Avenue without having to navigate through Mill Plain Boulevard.
“We’re looking forward to construction,” said Project Engineer Casey Liles. “We will try to minimize the impact to traffic and the local community during the two-year construction period,” he added.
This contract was awarded to Selby Bridge Company, Inc. of Vancouver, WA who submitted the winning bid of $14,874,970.33.
During construction, motorists should expect shoulder closures, single lane closures during the daytime and double lane closures at night along I-205 near Mill Plain Boulevard. These closures are necessary for the safety of work crews and the traveling public.
All traffic impacts will be made available as they are scheduled. For weekly updates on this and all other state traffic impacts in the region, please visit the WSDOT Southwest Region Weekly Travel Advisory Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthWest/Construction/default.htm.
For more information about the 1-205, Mill Plain – NE 112th Connector Project, please contact WSDOT’s Vancouver Area Engineering Office by phone (800-725-9669), by e-mail (swVancouver@wsdot.wa.gov) or visit the project page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i205/millplainne112/.
A future project, I-205, Mill Plain Interchange to NE 18th Street will construct a partial interchange at I-205/NE 18th Street, and include a system of grade separated on and off-ramps between Mill Plain Boulevard and NE 18th Street. This future project will improve safety by reducing weaving between the exits, help ease congestion by alleviating the traffic back ups now experienced on the existing I-205 on and off ramps, and increase the level of service along I-205 between Mill Plain Boulevard and SR 500. For more information, visit the project Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i205/millplainto18th/.
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
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