Date:  Friday, January 23, 2009

Contact: Joanna Lowrey, Assistant Project Engineer, (360) 905-2071 (Vancouver)
Annie Linstrom, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2079 (Vancouver)

Crews complete storm damage repairs safely and promptly to reopen the highway south of Cougar

VANCOUVER – Crews will reopen a section of SR 503 in southern Cowlitz County, Saturday, Jan. 24, much earlier than expected. The road has been closed since Jan. 8 from a landslide. Contractor crews worked diligently to repair this section of roadway, which sustained severe damage during recent storms.

In early January, heavy runoff from rain and snowmelt damaged the road surface of SR 503, causing the southbound lane to buckle and break free from the highway. After WSDOT geotechnical engineers assessed the stability of the slope and roadway, crews were able to complete repairs quickly, nearly three weeks earlier than expected.

The slope was backfilled using different types of rock where the southbound lane slid down the embankment. Crews installed new guardrail, repaved the roadway and upgraded the existing drainage system to help prevent future washouts in this area. In addition, a rock wall was constructed at the bottom of the western slope below SR 503, further stabilizing the slope and highway.

Striping work is scheduled to take place Saturday, weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, crews will use temporary striping to reopen this section of highway. Permanent striping will be completed when weather permits.

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. 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 http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/trafficor by dialing 5-1-1.

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