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Project Evaluation: SR 16, 36th St. to Olympic Drive NW - HOV Lanes
Pierce County
This project is located on State Route (SR) 16 in the city of Gig Harbor between the 36th Street and Olympic Drive NW interchanges. It is the second of three construction contracts on SR 16 allocated $90.5 million in the 2003 Legislative Transportation Budget.
This one-mile long project adds pavement for a future High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane in each direction to increase capacity and includes an asphalt overlay for the existing two lanes. Other work includes drainage improvements and installation of intelligent traffic systems (ITS), including HOV ramp metering at the eastbound Olympic Drive NW onramp and traffic detectors in the SR 16 mainline to provide traffic flow information. A noise barrier wall will be constructed along the south side of SR 16
The ITS elements in this project will provide up-to-the-minute motorist information and allow WSDOT to monitor traffic flow and make adjustments to ramp meters as needed. The HOV by-pass lane on the Olympic Drive NW onramp will benefit buses, carpools and vanpools. Ramp metering will help maintain an even flow of traffic on SR 16. Additionally, the pavement overlay will extend the service life of this section of SR 16 roadway, improve safety for motorists and give drivers a smoother ride. The noise wall will reduce highway noise levels at residences along the highway.
Construction Summary:
The project was constructed according to the original design, although a change to the construction staging was implemented. This allowed the contractor to widen the median in a more efficient manner and reduce some traffic control costs. The contractor was required to perform a majority of grading and paving for the new HOV lane at night to reduce traffic impacts on SR 16. Electrical work, drainage and noise wall installation were performed during the daytime.
Throughout the project, WSDOT worked closely and effectively with the contractor to develop timely solutions to issues and contract changes in order to keep the project moving and costs under control. However, the project team struggled with contractor surveying issues relating to alignments, elevations, cross slopes and offsets which created some rework for the contractor.
The contractor is pursuing completion of all work activities this construction season, except for the final overlay and striping. Due to weather considerations the final overlay will be postponed to the spring of 2006.
The project is expected to be completed under budget. Physical completion is expected in the spring 2006.
Contact information:
Prime Contractor:
Woodworth and Company
Tacoma, WA
WSDOT Contact:
Dave Ziegler, P.E.
(253) 534-3100
ziegled@wsdot.wa.gov
Project page link:
More information on the project, see:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/piercecountyHOV/SR16_Olympic_Union/
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