Date:  Thursday, November 12, 2009

Contact: Scott Ireland, WSDOT Project Engineer, 360-533-9352
               Kelly Stowe, WSDOT Communications, 360-357-2716

ELMA – The Washington State Department of Transportation awarded Bellingham-based Pederson Bros. the contract for a safety project on State Route 8 in Grays Harbor and Thurston counties.

The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds the $1.7 million project which installs high-tension cable barrier on the entire 20-mile stretch from Elma to US 101, increase safety for the 17,000 motorists who drive it daily.

Sixty one collisions – including two fatalities and five serious injury incidents – have occurred on SR 8 since 2005.

“Cable barrier helps save lives.” said Olympic Region Administrator, Kevin Dayton. “There is no barrier that can prevent all collisions from occurring, but high-tension cable median barrier stops vehicles from crossing the median 95 percent of the time.”

Construction is set to begin this winter. During the installation process, motorists may encounter left-lane closures while crews work within the median.

This project is expected to support 15 direct and indirect jobs.

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.

For more information on cable barrier, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/cablebarrier/.

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