Date:  Friday, July 16, 2010

Contact: Lloyd Brown, WSDOT Communications Director, 360-705-7076

OLYMPIA – WSDOT was recently recognized by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for the management and budgeting of two very different projects, the SR 16 Burley-Olalla Interchange project, and the SR 410 Nile Valley Landslide emergency response.

“State departments of transportation are completing projects faster and for less money. They are working hard to fix roads and keep people moving, but this hard work often gets overlooked,” said John Horsley, executive director of AASHTO. “These awards are really about showcasing the best projects these states have completed, and recognizing them for their determination and innovation.”

The SR 16 Burley-Olalla Interchange project won the “On Time – Small Project” category and was recognized for being on time and on budget by completing the interchange 11 months ahead of schedule and $1.75 million under budget.

The efficiencies were accomplished by planning ahead, altering designs, and changing traffic detours, while using foresight, planning, design and execution to reduce the impact on drivers.

In recognition for its emergency response to the October 2009 landslide that demolished one-half mile of SR 410, Nile Valley Landslide Project won the “Innovative Management – Small Project” category.

WSDOT and its emergency contractor worked 14 hours a day, seven days a week to meet a 45-day deadline to construct a new river channel and 4,000-foot detour route. Coordinating with Yakima County and resource agencies, WSDOT environmental experts worked to ensure that long-term impacts were mitigated and/or minimized. On Nov. 24, 2009 the day before the promised target, WSDOT opened the detour to traffic.

To learn more about the AASHTO awards, visit http://www.americastransportationaward.org/.

To learn more about projects, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr16/burleyolalla and www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr410/landslide.

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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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