Date:  Friday, September 03, 2010

Contact: Kathleen Davis, Highways & Local Programs Director, 360-705-7871
Olympia Headquarters - PO Box 47322 - Olympia, WA 98504-7322

OLYMPIA –– Innovative and environmentally sensitive transportation projects in the cities of Deer Park and Leavenworth and Snohomish and Clallam counties received high honors this week as recipients of the 2010 Award of Excellence.

This annual awards program, presented by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Washington State Department of Transportation (WDOT), recognizes federally-funded local agency transportation projects that achieved excellence in safety enhancements, construction, innovative design, environmental sustainability, and community involvement. The award categories are: Best City Project, Best County Project, Best Special Project and the Director’s Award.


Best City Award: City of Deer Park – Crawford Avenue Phase V Reconstruction Project

Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding of $1.7 million, this project provides pedestrians and motorists safer access the central business district of Deer Park, as well as the surrounding parks and schools in the area. In addition to several other safety improvements, the city built a state-of-the-art roundabout, alleviating long backups that were only getting longer and more dangerous. This project is the last in a series of five, completing all planned improvements on Crawford Avenue from US 395 to the east city limits. Including the federal stimulus funding, the total cost of this project was $1.9 million.

Contact: Keith Martin, WSDOT Eastern Region Local Programs Engineer, 509.354.6080


Best County Award: Snohomish County – Sauk River Bridge No. 414 Replacement Project:

The Sauk River Bridge conveys Sauk Prairie Road over the Sauk River, a federally-designated Wild and Scenic River that is part of the Skagit River system. At 479 feet long, the new bridge is Snohomish County’s longest two-span, steel truss bridge. It replaces a bridge built in 1930 that had become both functionally obsolete and structurally deficient. It also meets the challenge of being an aesthetic match to the breathtaking natural surroundings. Funding for the project included Federal Bridge funding of $14.6 million, as well as Snohomish County contributions of $3.5 million.

Contact: Ed Conyers, WSDOT Northwest Region Local Programs Engineer, 206.440.4706


Best Special Award: City of Leavenworth – Icicle Station Project

The Icicle Station project re-established rail passenger service to Leavenworth, returning the area to a destination for freight, as well as rail passengers, providing immediate economic growth. The project consists of a 600-foot heated platform, two passenger shelters on the platform, parking and outdoor lighting on the site. Completion of these components permitted Amtrak Empire Builder service to Leavenworth, beginning in September of 2009, improving the Leavenworth community both socially and economically. Funding for this $1.3 million project included state and federal grants, as well as contributions from the City of Leavenworth, the Port of Chelan and private donors.

Contact: Paul Mahre, WSDOT North Central Region Local Programs Engineer, 509.667.3090


Director's Award: Clallam County – Elwha River Bridge Replacement Project

This bridge replacement project includes a unique hanging pedestrian facility below the main road superstructure, which was one of the goals that came out of working closely with citizens and local businesses. Construction of the bridge met with significant challenges due to the extreme terrain, so with the creativity used on the under-bridge pedestrian walkway, this stronger, narrower road bridge was possible. This monumental project was completed on time and within budget. Funding for the $19.9 million project included Federal Bridge funding, as well as grants from the Board of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, Washington State Recreation & Conservation Board, and Clallam County.

Contact: WSDOT Neal Campbell, WSDOT Olympic Region Local Programs Engineer, 360.357.2666

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