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SR 14 Lyle Tunnel Reparis - Clickitat County - Columbia River Gorge

On Time: poor Although the additional three months necessary to complete the project were warranted (based on the tunnel's condition once the original liner was removed), greater communication with the public regarding the project changes and scheduling should have occurred. On Budget: poor Again, although the additional funds were necessary to make the tunnel safe, greater communication with the public should have occurred.

WSDOT installed a new concrete liner to strengthen the Lyle Tunnel, requiring a series of complete tunnel closures, mostly at night, and limiting daytime use to a single lane throughout most of the project. Needless to say, these closures had an impact on surrounding communities and the traveling public. WSDOT worked closely with elected officials and residents to determine the best way to schedule the necessary work with as little disruption as possible. Community member input factored heavily into WSDOT's decision to completely close the tunnel for nine days in March - rather than spread those closures over a series of weekends or nights.

While removing the existing tunnel liner, crews discovered that a significant amount of work, which had not been anticipated, was necessary to ensure the tunnel is safe. Additional tasks - such as extending the tunnel portals - added three months to the project's schedule and resulted in a 30% increase in costs.

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