Date:  Friday, October 28, 2011

Contact: Heidi Sause, WSDOT Communications, 360-905-2057

Nov. 1 event celebrates new ramps, smoother travel

KELSO – Traveling through the Longview Wye is now a much safer and simpler task than it was just two short years ago.

Before the Washington State Department of Transportation began construction, State Route 432 intersected I-5 and Talley Way at two cramped interchanges spaced less than a half-mile apart. Today, 10 new interchange ramps help drivers transition smoothly between roadways, eliminating merges, reducing collisions, and making traffic backups and tight lane changes a thing of the past.

WSDOT and contractor Northwest Construction Inc. completed the I-5, SR 432 Talley Way Interchange project for drivers six months ahead of schedule. Next Tuesday, Nov. 1, WSDOT, its contractor and the community will gather at the interchange to celebrate the project’s early completion.

When: 1 to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 1
Media are welcome to arrive at 12:15 p.m. for a guided tour of the project site in a WSDOT vehicle. The event will begin at 1 p.m.

Where: The south end of Talley Way, just south of SR 432.
(See detailed directions below.)

Speakers:

• Jerry Lenzi, Assistant Secretary, Washington State Department of Transportation
• Ryan Hart, Regional Liaison, Office of Congresswoman Herrera Beutler
• Schuyler Hoss, Southwest Washington Regional Representative, Office of Governor Gregoire
• Representative Ann Rivers, 18th Legislative District
• Representative Dean Takko, 19th Legislative District
• Representative Brian Blake, 19th Legislative District
• Mayor David Futcher, City of Kelso
• Commissioner George Raiter, Cowlitz County
• Dan Mathis, Division Administrator, Federal Highways Administration
• Steve Harvey, Director, Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments
• Rosemary Siipola, Transportation Manager, Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments

Visuals: Pre-event site tour: Various photo opportunities, including an overview of the interchange and close-up shots of ramp and bridge structures.
Speaking event: Elected officials will speak about the project benefits and participate in an event completion ceremony.

Attire: Wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. WSDOT will provide hard hats and safety vests for the site tour.

The project was funded with $33.5 million from the 2005 gas tax package and a $3 million federal grant provided by the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments.

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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 511.


Directions:

Southbound I-5 

• Take exit 36 for WA SR 432 
• Keep right when the off-ramp splits and head toward Talley Way. 
• Follow the ramp to the T-intersection at Coweeman Park Drive/Marina Road 
• Turn left onto Coweeman Park Drive/Marina Road 
• Turn left onto Talley Way at signal (note: signal is currently turned off) 
• Stay on southbound on Talley Way 
• Follow flaggers into event area

Northbound I-5

• Take exit 36 for WA SR 432 
• Stay left to merge onto SR 432 westbound 
• Immediately after the I-5 overpass, take the off-ramp to Talley Way. 
• Follow the ramp to the T-intersection at Coweeman Park Drive/Marina Road 
• Turn left onto Coweeman Park Drive/Marina Road 
• Turn left onto Talley Way at signal (note: signal is currently turned off) 
• Stay on southbound on Talley Way 
• Follow flaggers into event area

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