•  2003 Project Highlights
•  Evaluation Criteria

US 2 - Barclay Creek Bridge Replacement

Snohomish County

Design: Construction Management: Schedule: Cost: Engineers Estimate: $3,553,507 Contract Award Amount: $3,153,674 Estimated cost for completion:  $3,478,600 Some design-related issues could have been addressed earlier. The subsurface investigation showed difficult pile driving conditions, which should have been highlighted in written contract specifications. This would have allowed us to anticipate the need to pre-drill holes for timber piles and prevented the need to compensate Wilder Construction for the change in plans. In addition, neighbors should have been made aware of the changes to the roadway and the impact on their driveways. Excellent partnership and communication between WSDOT and its contractor, Wilder Construction Company, allowed issues to be resolved quickly and at the lowest possible level. Wilder Construction made innovative use of traffic control and took other steps to reduce impacts on the driving public.

This bridge replacement project is located on US 2 approximately 12 miles east of Gold Bar. Crews replaced the 60-plus year old Barclay Creek Bridge and reconstructed the westbound approach to the bridge. The new, wider bridge enhances safety with an improved westbound approach that improves visibility of oncoming traffic; wider and flatter highway shoulders; and new guardrail.

Construction Summary

The new bridge was largely complete in June 2003, ahead of schedule. Remaining work included minor erosion control and plant establishment. Current estimates indicate that the project will be over the contractor's bid amount.

This is the first bridge in Washington designed to use high performance steel girders.  High performance steel allowed us to use three lines of girders instead of four and allowed us to construct a high water refuge under the bridge. A high water refuge is a protected area along the creek bank designed to provide salmon fry refuge during periods of peak river flow.

The old bridge was lifted by two cranes then set on the old roadway where it was dismantled. This eliminated any impacts to the creek. In addition, the contractor worked around the clock to quickly complete several tasks that severely impact traffic. In addition to minimizing hassles for drivers, this approach reduced traffic control costs. Portable message signs, highway advisory radio and public relations were used to notify travelers about delays.

Contractor:
Wilder Construction, Bellingham

WSDOT Contact:
David Lindberg
Phone: 425-739-1750
Email: lindbed@wsdot.wa.gov

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