Date:  Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Contact: Meagan McFadden, WSDOT Communications, (509) 577-1618
Paul Gonseth, WSDOT Project Engineer, (509) 577-1810

YAKIMA – WSDOT awarded the federally funded I-82 Grandview to Granger westbound pavement repair project to Granite Northwest, Inc., of Yakima. Granite submitted the lowest bid of this preservation project; the estimated total project cost is $6.5 million, which will support approximately 65 jobs.

“Recovery funding is beginning to have positive effects across the state,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire. “This funding combined with other local and state resources will result in jobs for Washingtonians and much needed infrastructure improvements.”

“These types of maintenance and preservation projects have proven very useful in extending the life of our aging concrete pavements,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “The investment of federal ARRA funds comes at a key time for the region, helping to preserve one of central Washington’s most critical transportation corridors and supporting about 65 jobs."

With this project, crews will strengthen and preserve the pavement and make the ride smoother in the westbound lanes of I-82 between Grandview and Granger by replacing severely cracked panels, installing dowel bars in the wheel paths of the right lane, and grinding the roadway surface.

The steel dowel bars will be placed in channels cut several inches deep in the pavement. Then grout is placed in the channels. The dowel bars keep the concrete panels from rocking back and forth, which causes a rough ride for drivers between Grandview and Granger.

“We are happy to be helping the local economy by bringing jobs to central Washington with federal recovery money that strengthens our transportation system,” said Don Whitehouse, WSDOT Regional Administrator.

For more information on the I-82, Grandview to Granger Concrete Repair project visit: wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I82/GrangertoGrandview/

For a list of the 181 Washington highway projects, and detail on other federal stimulus transportation investments, visit: wsdot.wa.gov/Funding/stimulus/ProjectList.htm

Washington state is administering the Recovery Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire has created a new Website, http://www.recovery.wa.gov/, enabling every Washingtonian to see where their tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Obama has appointed Vice President Biden, a proven and aggressive Inspector General, to oversee all states’ recovery efforts and root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are not wasted.

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