Date:  Friday, January 28, 2011

Contact: Jeff Switzer, SR 520 Communications, 206-770-3547, mobile 206-819-7230 (Seattle)
Suanne Pelley, SR 520 Communications, 206-770-3578, mobile 206-437-5717 (Seattle)

Feb. 12 event celebrates upcoming construction and jobs

ABERDEEN – Gov. Chris Gregoire and Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond will visit Grays Harbor in two weeks to join the community in a groundbreaking celebration for the SR 520 pontoon construction project.

The event is scheduled at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at the former Aberdeen Log Yard.

“We’re eager to put hundreds of people to work in Grays Harbor and we look forward to celebrating this milestone with the community,” Hammond said. “This project is an essential step in helping to maintain and rebuild a vital transportation link.”

Construction is expected to begin as soon as mid-February. The first order of work is to build a casting basin on the 55-acre property that will allow workers to construct 33 concrete pontoons for the SR 520 floating bridge. The pontoons will be available for emergency replacement of the floating bridge or stored until needed to form the backbone of a new SR 520 floating bridge scheduled to open by the end of 2014.

Groundbreaking celebration

When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12

Where: SR 520 pontoon construction project site
(former Aberdeen Log Yard)

Who: Confirmed event speakers include Gov. Gregoire, Paula Hammond and former House Majority Leader Rep. Lynn Kessler (D–24th District).

Equipment: Boots or sturdy shoes are required.

Directions:

• From I-5, take exit 104 to US-101 N.
• Travel approximately 40 miles to Aberdeen.
• Continue on US-101 N through Aberdeen (US-101 N is also called E. Wishkah Street once you enter Aberdeen).
• Continue on E. Wishkah through Aberdeen.
• Take a slight right onto W. Wishkah Street, and then an immediate left at S. Division Street. Signs will lead you to the event entrance at the former Aberdeen Log Yard.

More information about the SR 520 program is available at

www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr520bridge.

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