Date:  Friday, September 17, 2010

Contact: Chris Tams, Columbia Gorge Area Engineer, 866-279-0730 toll-free (Vancouver)
Abbi Russell, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2058 (Vancouver)

STEVENSON – The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) this week completed a rockfall prevention project on State Route 14 in the Columbia River Gorge, making the route safer for more than 3,800 daily travelers.

The $3.8 million SR 14 Rockfall Mitigation White Salmon Vicinity project improved safety by removing potentially dangerous rock, soil and other debris from slopes above the SR 14 near Dog Mountain (milepost 54) and White Salmon (milepost 64).

Between March and September, contractor crews blasted and carved away more than 31,000 cubic yards of rock and soil – enough to bury a football field 21 feet deep. Crews also installed rock bolts and cable netting in both locations to further stabilize the slopes.

The slope near Dog Mountain is now angled away from the highway. Crews also built a 30-foot-wide catchment ditch where rocks can accumulate and be cleared away before they become an obstacle to drivers on SR 14.

The project presented multiple challenges to drivers, WSDOT engineers and contractor crews. Crews had to work around train schedules in a small work area while using explosives to remove large quantities of rock. Drivers exercised a lot of patience planning around numerous closures and lengthy delays. Crews and drivers worked through these obstacles all spring and summer, and the payoff is a safer drive on SR 14 in the Gorge.

The SR 14 Rockfall Mitigation White Salmon Vicinity project is part of WSDOT’s ongoing efforts to mitigate unstable slopes on highways across the state.

WSDOT has dedicated $300 million to evaluate, prioritize and mitigate unstable slopes through the Unstable Slope Management System (USMS). The USMS helps WSDOT protect public safety and investment in the state’s highways. For more information, please visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/biz/mats/Geotech/usms.htm.

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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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