Date:  Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Contact: Colin Newell, Chehalis Area Engineer, (866) 713-2412 toll-free (Chehalis)
Abbi Russell, WSDOT Communications, 360-905-2058 (Vancouver)

WHITE PASS – Construction begins Thursday, July 16 on a Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) project to provide drivers a smoother, safer ride over US 12 White Pass.

The US 12 White Pass Vicinity paving project will pave two miles of US 12 over White Pass (mile posts 149 to 151.09) and replace guardrail along the highway. The project was awarded in May to Granite Construction of Yakima, with a winning bid of $608,608.

For the duration of construction, drivers can expect daytime single-lane closures with flaggers and pilot car operations between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Drivers may encounter delays of up to 20 minutes.

Pavement grinding will take place Thursday, July 16 and Friday, July 17. Crews will grind out old pavement on US 12 to prepare for paving operations on Monday, July 20. Motorists are asked to use caution while driving on uneven road surfaces over the weekend.

Paving is a highly weather-sensitive activity. Work may be cancelled or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

This project is scheduled for completion in August. WSDOT will continue to inform the public of traffic impacts as work progresses.

For weekly updates on this and all other traffic impacts in the region, please visit the WSDOT Southwest Region Weekly Travel Advisory Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthWest/Construction.

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WSDOT's mission is to keep 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 511.

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