View entire map The interchange is located at Mile Post 137-138 on the east end of the Vantage Bridge in Grant County. The wind warning signs were installed further east, up the hill, near MP 139 and west of the bridge near MP 134.
View entire photo This is an aerial view of the interchange before work began in February.
View entire photo: A view of the construction site in late July.
View entire photo: The new, longer off ramp takes shape in July.
View entire photo: More than 80 controlled blasts were necessary to remove 250,000 cubic yards of rock for the new ramps. That's 25,000 dump truck loads!
Overview
This Safety Improvement Project reconstructed the ramps of the existing interchange, identified as a High Accident Location (HAL) and a High Accident Corridor (HAC). Short, steep, sharply curved ramps to and from SR 26, coupled with frequent high winds through the Columbia River Gorge at Vantage, caused many serious truck accidents.
 | Improves Safety
Lengthening the acceleration and deceleration lanes reduced the accident potential by allowing trucks and cars more time and space to merge.
Moving the westbound on-ramp to a straight section of I-90 makes it easier for vehicles to get up to speed and safely merge with traffic on the freeway.
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Partnerships & Cooperation
Construction began February 28th and was complete October 13, 2005. The project came in under budget and ahead of time. In order to reduce traffic impacts for students returning to WSU and travelers over the busy Labor Day weekend, the contractor chose to extend work hours and added additional workers to complete the on and off ramps before the holiday. A project to install electronic wind warning signs further east on I-90 to warn westbound vehicles of high winds and other road conditions at the gorge ahead, was incorporated into the interchange project to save both time and money. Due to the rolling slowdowns and closures required by the extensive blasting required, an extensive public outreach and notification system was implemented for this project. It utilized portable Highway Advisory Radios, electronic Variable Message Signs, direct e-mail notification to area businesses and public agencies, emergency service providers and the media, as well as web page and 5-1-1 updates, sometimes several times a day.
Funding
This project design incorporated recommendations of a Value Engineering Study in March of 1999. It was advertised for bid on December 20, 2004 and four bids were opened February 3, 2005. Contract # C6898 was awarded on February 7th, to Steelman-Duff, Inc. for $4,176,465.85, 3-1/2% under the engineering estimate. Construction began February 28th and was complete October 13, 2005.
This project was funded through the following sources:
· Pre-Existing Gas Tax - $5.2 million
· Total funding from all sources - $5.2 million
· For project schedule and updates, please see the Quarterly Project Report
The project was completed for $259,000 under budget.
Contact Us
Mike Fleming, Project Engineer
WSDOT North Central Region
P.O. Box 98
Wenatchee, WA 98807
Phone: (509) 667-2870 or
toll free (888) 461-8816
Email: fleminm@wsdot.wa.gov
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