Date:  Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Contact: Colin Newell, Chehalis Area Engineer, (866) 713-2412 (toll-free in Chehalis)
Abbi Russell, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2057 (Vancouver)

CHEHALIS – A project to build a new bridge over the South Fork of the Chehalis River on State Route 6 will begin August 25, announces the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The contract was awarded to Scarsella Bros., Inc. of Seattle, who submitted the winning bid of $7,854,340.30. This project is funded through the 2005 Transportation Partnership Account.

“This is a project that many local citizens have been waiting to see happen for years. We are excited to see this work get started,” said Chehalis Area Engineer Colin Newell.

The new bridge will help improve safety and relieve congestion on this portion of SR 6. It will be 40 feet wide, consisting of two 12-foot lanes with eight-foot shoulders. The bridge will also be constructed on a new alignment 20 feet to the north, flattening the curve at the east end of the existing bridge. Motorists will no longer be stopping as they approach the bridge, decreasing the likelihood of rear-end collisions.

The existing bridge was built in 1925 and measures only 20 feet wide. Due to the narrow width, large vehicles stop to wait for oncoming traffic to clear the bridge before proceeding to cross. As a result, rear-end collisions are common at this location.

The existing bridge will not be removed until the new bridge is open to traffic, scheduled for late fall 2009. The majority of the work will not require lane closures. When lane closures are necessary, motorists can expect delays of up to twenty minutes.

For weekly updates on this and other construction-related 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 6 – South Fork Chehalis River Bridge Replacement project, please contact WSDOT’s Chehalis Area Engineering Office by phone (866) 713-2412, by e-mail (swChehalis@wsdot.wa.gov) or visit the project Web page at: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR6/ChehalisRiverBridge.


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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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