I-5 - Widen I-5 Each Direction From Salmon Creek to I-205 - Complete October 2006

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending December 2004

Project Title & Location
I-5 Salmon Creek Widening – Vancouver

Project Description
This project will widen Interstate 5 from milepost 3.64 to milepost 7.49, from two lanes in both directions to three lanes plus an auxiliary lane between NE 99th Street and NE 134th Street. It will construct two parallel bridges on I-5 over Salmon Creek and a new structure for NE 129th Street over I-5 to accommodate the widening.

Contractor/Consultant
Hamilton Construction Company, Springfield, OR

Recent Progress

Hamilton Construction is currently constructing the new northbound I-5 bridge over Salmon Creek.  All substructure work on the new bridge is complete, the girders have been set and it is scheduled to be complete in early 2005.  Roadway excavation and embankment operations necessary to widen northbound lanes are currently on hold until the weather allows the work to resume.  Construction of the revised retaining Wall 1 at Tenny Creek and a wetland mitigation site was completed prior to the end of the extended in-water work window.  A 1,000-foot long noise wall has been installed on the east side of I-5.  Negotiations are currently underway to add one of the noise walls contained in the 2004 Transportation Supplemental Budget. 

Design Construction Impacts

This project has experienced numerous changes and overruns.  The changes and overruns are the result of unforeseen soil conditions mostly caused by underground springs; the relocation of retaining walls due to a natural change that altered the alignment of Tenny Creek; plan revisions to staging, bridge design features, and utilities; and the addition of safety features to assist with traffic operation during construction.  Additional engineering dollars are necessary because of these changes.  Contingency funds have been exhausted and an additional $1.972 million in contract payments is needed to complete the project.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
WSDOT monitors erosion control and water quality on a daily basis to maintain compliance with the regulatory permits. 

Impacts to Traffic
I-5 northbound and southbound have been shifted to the west (southbound onto the temporary detour bridge) to allow for construction of the new northbound structure.  The northbound and southbound lanes have been reduced to 11-feet wide.  Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction during daylight hours.

Project Milestones Scheduled Attained Milestone Outlook
Contract Advertised October 2003 May 2003 Completed 5 months in advance of schedule.
Contract Awarded December 2003 July 2003 Completed 5 months in advance of schedule.
Groundbreaking January 2004 August 2003 Completed 5 months in advance of schedule.
Open to Traffic Spring 2007

 

Project Cost Summary: Dollars in
millions
Percent
of Total

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)
Project Expenditure Chart

Preliminary Engineering $3.3 9.0%
Right-of-Way $1.4 3.8%
Construction $32.0 87.2%
Funded Project Costs $36.7 100%

Nickel funds included in above costs

$32.0 87.2%

2005 Transportation Partnership Account

  For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects

Don Owings, WSDOT Area Engineer, at 360-905-1500 or e-mail: swi-5widening@wsdot.wa.gov