Date:  Thursday, January 15, 2009

Contact: Contacts: Rick Sjolander, WSDOT Maintenance & Operations, (360) 905-2020 (Vancouver)
Abbi Russell, WSDOT Communications, (360) 690-5367 (Vancouver)

VANCOUVER – Many highways in Southwest Washington sustained damage during the recent storms and flooding. Throughout it all, WSDOT crews cleared mudslides, repaired roadways and cleaned ditches to keep roads open and passable.

At the peak of the storms, there were at least 20 separate closures in Southwest Washington. Crews were able to reopen majority of these within 36 hours. Four highways sustained severe damage, and assessment and repairs have begun on SR 508 and US 12 in Lewis County, SR 503 in Cowlitz County, and US 101 in Pacific County.

Here is the latest information on repair work and what drivers can expect when traveling these routes for the next several weeks:

SR 503 CLOSED south of Cougar

• Approximately six miles north of Chelatchie Prairie, near the Speelyai Creek Bridge (mile posts 30 to 31), the southbound lane of SR 503 buckled and broke free of the roadway, sliding down a steep embankment. Additionally, the shoulder of SR 503 where it joins the SR 503 Spur to Cougar (mile post 30) was washed away by floodwaters. Repairs to this section are underway. This work must be completed before crews can begin repairing the adjacent slide area. Kerr Contractors of Woodburn, OR was selected as the emergency contractor. A full repair is scheduled for completion in approximately six weeks.
• SR 503 is open from Woodland to Cougar. The closure area is on the southern stretch of SR 503, which connects Chelatchie Prairie and Battle Ground.

SR 508 CLOSED west of Morton

• In the Bear Canyon area (mile posts 20 to 22), a section of SR 508 washed out during the flooding. WSDOT is performing geotechnical assessment to determine the stability of the slope. Crews cleaned out culverts in the area to redirect water away from the slide area. An emergency contractor, Sterling Breen of Oakville, WA, will perform the repair work. A timeline for repairs will be established once geotechnical assessment is complete.

US 12 RESTRICTED near Mossyrock and Glenoma

• Near Twin Canyon Bridge at Mossyrock (mile post 90.4) and Priest Road at Glenoma (mile post 100.8), the roadway is restricted to single lane traffic, alternating directions due to mudslides and damaged road surfaces. Geotechnical experts are assessing both slide areas to determine slope stability and the extent of repairs. Two emergency contractors have been selected to perform repair work. Sterling Breen of Oakville, WA will perform work near Mossyrock and R.G. Construction, Inc. of Chehalis, WA will repair the damage near Glenoma. A timeline for this work will be established once geotechnical assessment is complete.
• A temporary gravel bypass road was constructed to move traffic safely around the slide near Twin Canyon Bridge. Motorists are asked to drive slowly on this temporary bypass to preserve the road surface and avoid an additional closure for repairs.

US 101 RESTRICTED near South Bend

• At the Niawiakum River Bridge (mile post 43), the roadway is restricted to single lane traffic, alternating directions. Geotechnical assessment found that the slope under the roadway is unstable, and this restriction is a safety precaution while repair work takes place. Tapani Underground, Inc. of Battle Ground, WA has been selected as the emergency contractor for this work. Repairs began this week and are expected to take approximately six weeks.

WSDOT asks drivers to prepare if they must travel these routes by visiting our Travel Information Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic before leaving home or work. Drivers may also dial 5-1-1 to receive real-time traffic, incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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