Date:  Wednesday, November 09, 2011

Contact: Leon Winger, WSDOT project engineer, 360-905-1500 (Vancouver)
Heidi Sause, WSDOT communications, 360-905-2057 (Vancouver)

Interchange construction restricts lanes and left turns

VANCOUVER – Things will look and drive differently for the next year at the intersection of SR 500 and St. Johns Boulevard. Crews will close lanes and restrict left turns starting Monday, Nov. 14, as they work to remodel and improve safety at the busy intersection.

Contractor crews working with the Washington State Department of Transportation will close two lanes on St. Johns Boulevard, narrow lanes on SR 500, reduce the speed limit on both routes and eliminate all left turns at the intersection.

“Come Monday, the intersection will look completely different,” said Project Engineer Leon Winger. “We’re completing a lot of work in a very limited space and doing everything we can to shorten the duration of closures. There are going to be delays though, and drivers would be wise to plan ahead or take other routes.”

Crews will close St. Johns Boulevard and St. James Road from midnight to 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14, between Cherry Road and E 33rd Street to restripe the roadway, place concrete barrier and set up the traffic shift.

Drivers can find more information about the traffic changes and alternate routes on the project website.

Crews will work through the winter to construct a temporary bypass road along St. Johns, reinforce an underground culvert and utility lines, and continue construction work on two new interchange ramps along SR 500.

This work is part of the SR 500, St. Johns Blvd Interchange project, which replaces the current traffic signal with a freeway-style interchange that will carry St. Johns Boulevard traffic up and over SR 500. The improvements will help keep traffic flowing and reduce collisions and delays for the 60,000 daily drivers.

The $48 million project is funded primarily through the 2005 gas tax package, and is being built by Tapani Underground Inc., of Battle Ground Wash.

Drivers can sign up online to receive project email updates, and view photos of work activities on WSDOT’s Flickr page. 

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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.

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