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Project Title & Location
I-90/Ryegrass Summit to Vantage – West of Vantage
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Project Description
This project constructs a new truck climbing/passing lane on Interstate 90 westbound from the Columbia River at Vantage to Ryegrass Summit, to reduce accidents from slower moving vehicles and passing vehicles.
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Recent Progress
All I-90 traffic is using a detour in the existing downhill (eastbound lanes). The detour consists of one lane eastbound and two lanes westbound, separated by temporary concrete barrier (4.1 miles in length). This allows for the construction of the new westbound lane without routing traffic through the work zone, resulting in a safer environment for both the site workers and the traveling public. Work on Stage 2 (westerly 5.5 mile section) is complete and was opened to traffic prior to the July 4th holiday weekend. Construction of the Stage 3 detour connection is complete. Construction of the Stage 3 section (the last remaining 4 mile section of a total 10 mile project) is currently underway. Stage 3 work includes controlled blasting of rock cuts, excavation, surfacing, paving and various safety improvements. WSDOT anticipates the project will be constructed ahead of schedule and within the budget provided by the legislature in the 2003 Transportation Funding Package. See "Impacts to Traffic" for additional information on the detour routes.
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Design Construction Impacts
Most construction activities were suspended for the winter on November 14, 2003. Contract work resumed on March 8, 2004. Stage 2 work is complete and construction is currently underway on last remaining stage of work - Stage 3.
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Environmental Impacts / Compliance
Project mitigation within Ryegrass Coulee Creek was recently completed. The work consisted of installing grade control structures to minimize scour adjacent to Interstate 90. The site was further stabilized by the live willow stakes planted in the voids of the rip rap. The overall mitigation strategy will combine structural and biological elements to provide a long lasting fix to the scour problem.
To date the environmental compliance effort has been very successful. The contractor has monitored silt fence condition and check dams wherever needed to ensure containment.
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Impacts to Traffic
Stage 1 and Stage 2 sections are complete, with all three lanes open to traffic. Traffic in the Stage 3 section (the easterly portion of the project near Vantage) is being detoured to the eastbound lanes, with two lanes uphill and one lane downhill, separated by temporary concrete barrier. The posted speed limit has been reduced to 50 mph throughout the detour areas and loads over 10-foot wide are prohibited.
Over the Labor Day weekend travelers experienced delays, due mostly to the heavy traffic during the holiday. There were no accidents reported over the busy holiday weekend.
We are using Highway Advisory Radio (HAR), WSDOT web sites, and Variable Message Signs (VMS) to inform motorists of the detour and any adverse traffic situation. In addition, Superior Asphalt Co., WSDOT, and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) are working together to keep travelers moving through the project safely and to assist stranded motorists.
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