Date:  Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Contact: Colin Newell, WSDOT Project Engineer, (866) 713-2412 toll-free (Chehalis)
Abbi Russell, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2058 (Vancouver)

MORTON – Drivers could face delays this fall on State Route 508 near Morton as crews work to repair and protect the roadway in an area known for frequent erosion.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and its contractor, Granite Construction Company of Tumwater, began a $963,000 project this week to stabilize the banks of the Tilton River underneath SR 508.

Funded through federal emergency dollars, the project uses an anchor structure and large rocks to support and protect nearly 1,000 feet of embankment between Mosswood Road and Davison Road (mileposts 29.8 to 30.5).

During construction, drivers on SR 508 near Mosswood Road will encounter 20-minute delays as the highway is reduced to a single lane around the clock, seven days a week. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers during daylight hours and by an automated flagging system after dark.

Drivers near Davison Road will encounter intermittent flagging and minor delays during daylight hours, Monday through Friday.

The Tilton River has repeatedly eroded this section of embankment underneath the highway. Floods in 2007 and 2009 worsened erosion and threatened to undermine SR 508. WSDOT made temporary repairs in 2008 and 2009 until funds were available for more lasting repairs.

Crews will increase support for SR 508 near Mosswood Road by installing an anchor-boulder system using boulders and logs lashed together. Rip rap – large rocks commonly used to protect shoreline structures from erosion – will also be placed in critical locations for further stabilization.

The project is expected to be complete in October.

For weekly traffic updates in the region, please visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthWest/Construction.

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WSDOT's mission is to keep 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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