Date:  Thursday, October 29, 2009

Contact: Will Smith, WSDOT Project Engineer (509) 577-1840
Amanda Sullivan, WSDOT I-90 Communications (509) 577-1942

SNOQUALMIE PASS – Motorists driving on I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass will experience a smoother, safer ride as WSDOT and contractor crews wrap up construction on the first phase of the Lake Easton to Bullfrog project this week. The $18.4 million concrete rehabilitation project is one of five American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)-funded projects on I-90 this year.

“We appreciated drivers’ patience as we worked to make I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass a safer, more reliable interstate,” said WSDOT Regional Administrator Don Whitehouse. “During the 2009 construction season, Recovery Act-funded investments totaling $29.5 million got underway to rehabilitate our most important east-west freight and travel corridor. We made great progress this year, and even more work is scheduled for the 2010 construction season.”

For the I-90 Lake Easton to Bullfrog project, WSDOT and contractor crews replaced approximately four and a half miles of the right-hand concrete lane and asphalt shoulders of westbound I-90 between Easton (milepost 70) and Cle Elum (milepost 80). Crews also replaced and ground sections of severely deteriorated concrete panels in the left lane and upgraded safety features such as guardrails and striping.

This project supported over 70 jobs at Gary Merlino Construction Company of Seattle and several other jobs at eight sub-contractors from across the Pacific Northwest.

Other ARRA construction projects on I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass included:

• I-90 Yakima River to west Ellensburg Paver - $2.5 million
• I-90 Slide Curve to Cabin Creek Paver - $3.9 million
• Traffic camera upgrades along Snoqualmie Pass - $60,000
• I-90 Snoqualmie Summit to Hyak westbound dowel bar retrofit / concrete rehabilitation - $4.1 million

The Snoqualmie Summit to Hyak westbound dowel bar retrofit and concrete rehab project is nearly complete. Due to recent cold, wet weather, crews will have to complete permanent roadway striping in the spring.

Next year, WSDOT will replace the remaining three miles of the westbound I-90 Lake Easton to Bullfrog project. When that project is complete by mid-summer, WSDOT will begin replacing approximately 10 miles of concrete roadway in the eastbound direction in the same vicinity that uses a similar detour lane configuration.

For more information on I-90 construction projects, please visit our Web page.

Washington state is administering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire created a Web site, www.recovery.wa.gov/, so every Washingtonian can see where tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Obama has appointed Vice President Biden to oversee all states’ recovery efforts and to root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are put to good use and recharge the economy. 

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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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