•  2003 Project Highlights
•  Evaluation Criteria

I-5 - Samish Way to Sunset Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation

Whatcom County

Design: Construction Management: Schedule: Cost: Engineers Estimate: $7,269,000 Contract Award Amount: $6,875,000 Estimated cost for completion: $8,291,500 Unforeseen conditions in shoulder and drainage reconstruction increased construction costs by about 15 percent. Unexpected quantities of bedrock during excavation, decayed steel in a 30-year old median barrier, and poor soils resulted in 15 days being added to the schedule.

The project extends almost three miles on Interstate 5 through downtown Bellingham from Samish Way to Sunset Drive (State Route 542). Construction crews repaired damaged concrete pavement and provided safety upgrades.  Drivers now have a smoother ride and the life of the freeway surface is extended 15 years.

Construction Summary

Crews excavated and replaced 50-year-old concrete panels, installed dowel bars to link adjacent concrete panels, rebuilt shoulders, replaced the storm drainage system, and ground the lane surface smooth. Closed circuit TV cameras and electronic data loops were installed that will help WSDOT monitor traffic flow and provide real-time traffic information. An abandoned railroad bridge that spanned I-5 south of Sunset Drive was removed. The bridge's low-height clearance forced over-height trucks to detour onto city streets.

The project proceeded as planned and was completed on schedule. Unforeseen conditions in shoulder and drainage reconstruction increased construction costs by about 15 percent.

Unique early completion incentives encouraged Wilder Construction to minimize lane closures. Aerial surveillance was used to gather traffic delay information during peak travel times. The information was relayed to motorists through variable message signs, which allowed drivers to make informed decisions about driving through the construction zone or taking the alternate route.  An estimated 9.9 million vehicles traveled through the construction zone during the project.

Strong public relations outreach kept the media and public informed and reduced complaints. Outreach included a project Web site; highway advisory radio in both the U.S. and Canada; a local partnership program to encourage carpooling, vanpooling, riding the bus, bicycling, and walking; and outreach to truckers, bus companies, transit agencies, tourism bureaus and other schedule-sensitive organizations.

Contractor:
Wilder Construction, Bellingham

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