Date:
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Contact:
Denys Tak, Kelso Area Engineer, (360) 442-1346 (Kelso)
Sylvia Ross, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2058 (Vancouver)
KELSO – Plan ahead before you travel on SR 4 for the next few weeks, starting on Tuesday, July 8, warns the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Scheduled 45-minute closures during day-time will begin as contractor crews begin the rock scaling work near the Cowlitz/Wahkiakum County line.
For approximately three weeks, Monday through Friday, SR 4 in the vicinity of mile post 46 will be open between 5 p.m. and 8:15 a.m. Then, after 8:15 a.m., SR 4 will close for 45 minutes, reopening every hour, on the hour, for 15 minutes, until 5 p.m.
Due to the sensitive nature of this type of construction, dry weather is necessary to safely execute the work. In the event of unfavorable weather, the full closures will likely be suspended, allowing traffic to pass.
These long closures are necessary so that the contractor can safely remove loose rock and secure the rock face adjacent to the roadway. This work will last about three weeks, given dry weather.
Once this critical phase of the project is completed, the contractor will shift traffic control to intermittent one-way lane closures with flaggers. During this time, crews will install the rock anchors and cable fencing and that will catch loose rock in the future. At that time, drivers should expect up to 20-minute delays for the remainder of the project. The project is expected to finish in early fall.
This rock stabilization project will yield safety improvements to the SR 4 corridor between mileposts 45.92 and 45.95, just East of County Line Park.
WSDOT held a public Open House in February to announce the road closures necessary road closures associated with this project.
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: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthWest/Construction/default.htm.
For more information about the SR 4 East of County Line Rockfall Project, and to see exact closure times, please contact WSDOT’s Kelso Area Engineering Office by phone (360-442-1341), by e-mail (swKelso@wsdot.wa.gov) or visit the project Web page at: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR4/CountyLineRockfall.
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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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