Date:  Friday, July 08, 2011

Contact: Mike Westbay, WSDOT communications, 509-577-1617 (Yakima)
Bill Preston, project engineer, 509-577-1810 (Yakima)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2011

Smooth sailing on SR 24 east of Yakima is just a few weeks away

MOXEE – A smoother and safer roadway on State Route 24 between Yakima and Moxee is just a few weeks away. Work began Thursday, July 7, on a $2.1 million project to repave SR 24 between Riverside Road and Faucher Road (mileposts 1.48 to 5.72).

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Columbia Asphalt and Gravel Inc. will first fill in cracks and seal the existing pavement by applying a layer of oil and small gravel to the road surface. Following the seal, crews will pave the full length of the project, providing a smoother, stronger surface.

Drivers can expect lane restrictions and delays Thursday, July 7, and Friday, July 8. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., flaggers will direct traffic through the construction zone for the chip-sealing activities. Pilot cars will keep speeds down between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., reducing the risk of vehicles kicking up loose gravel and damaging the chip seal. After 7 p.m., the contractor will begin sweeping the roadway. While no lanes will be closed, drivers should expect slight delays from this slow-moving operation.

Once the new layer of asphalt pavement is in place, crews will restore safety features such as guide posts and pavement markings. Crews also will install new “Prepare to Stop When Flashing” signs to help reduce the number of collisions at the busy intersections with Birchfield Road and Beaudry Road.


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