Date:  Thursday, May 06, 2010

Contact: Rumina Suafoa, WSDOT Project Engineer, 253-534-3101
              WSDOT Communications, 360-357-2789

Stretch of highway returns to two lanes in each direction and 60 mph speed limit

TACOMA – Drivers in Tacoma soon have one less work zone to navigate. Girder replacement is complete on the State Route 509 Puyallup River Bridge and crews restore the roadway to its normal four-lane configuration and lift the 35 mph speed reduction during a full closure scheduled May 8.

“SR 509 motorists have just one last closure to plan around before this bridge and this economic lifeline in Tacoma reopens,” said WSDOT Region Administrator Kevin Dayton. “They have been extremely patient and we thank them for using extra caution and driving safely through the work zone during this project.”

WSDOT and contractor Granite Construction Company of Everett, Wash., replaced 14 girders and repaired columns which were damaged in a December 2002 rail-car fire. Construction began in October 2009.

WSDOT awarded the $2.9 million repair contract to Granite Construction Company in June 2009. Funding comes from a settlement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe and existing funds.

Weather-permitting, crews close both directions of SR 509, between I-705 and Port of Tacoma Road, from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 8. A signed detour will direct motorists to I-705, I-5 and Port of Tacoma Road. During the closure crews will restripe and reconfigure the roadway.

To keep traffic moving during construction for the nearly 32,000 drivers who use SR 509 daily, crews reduced a segment of the four-lane bridge to one lane in each direction and lowered the speed limit to 35 mph. When the roadway opens to traffic Saturday evening, two lanes of travel will be open in each direction and the speed limit returns to 60 mph.

The roadway remains restricted for overweight vehicles between I-705 and Port of Tacoma Road, mileposts 0.0 and 2.81. The maximum load is 105,500 pounds. Crews will lift the weight restriction once final repairs and inspections are complete beneath the bridge deck.

For project information, visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr509/puyallupriverbridge/.

For permit and restriction information, haulers should contact WSDOT Motor Carrier Services, 360-704-6340 or visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/commercialVehicle/Restrictions/.

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