|
Project Title & Location
1) 6th Ave. to Jackson Ave. - HOV, Tacoma
2) 36th St. to Olympic Drive NW - HOV, Gig Harbor
3) Union Ave. to Jackson Ave. - HOV, Tacoma
|
Project Description
This project constructs HOV Lanes on SR 16 from Olympic Drive in Gig Harbor to Union Avenue in Tacoma. There are currently four travel lanes. There will be six lanes throughout the corridor when complete, with additional lanes provided between Union Avenue and 6th Avenue interchanges.
|
|
Recent Progress
Construction is physically complete on the first phase of this project, 6th Avenue to Jackson Avenue.
Construction began in early May 2005 on the second phase, 36th Street to Olympic Drive. All work is complete except for the final eastbound overlay. Due to bad weather the eastbound overlay has been delayed until late spring 2006.
The third phase of the project, Union to Jackson Avenue, was awarded Feb. 7, 2005. Construction activities began March 11.
Accomplishments The EB Snake Lake bridge widening is complete except for the final modified concrete overlay which is scheduled for Fall 2006.
Between 19th Street and Snake Lake, the HMA for the eastbound lanes is complete except for the final overlay.
On March 20, 2006 eastbound traffic was shifted to the new alignment between 19th Street and Snake Lake.
Soldier piles have been installed for the 19th Street pedestrian tunnel and associated retaining walls.
The 12th Street bridge and the approach slabs are complete.
The deck for the 6th Ave bridge was poured March 13, 2006. Post tensioning is scheduled for the end of March.
The falsework for the Pearl Street bridge is complete. All the piers and columns at this bridge are complete.
A Cost Reduction Incentive Proposal from the contractor was approved to change the traffic control on the project. This proposal is expected to save the project $100,000.
Upcoming Activities The contractor has about 3-4 weeks of work in the median between Snake Lake and 19th Street to finish the median barrier and paving. When this work is finished around mid-April, WB traffic will be re-routed to the EB Snake Lake structure.
Once the WB traffic is on the new alignment between 19th and Snake Lake, work can begin on Pier 1 of the Center Street O/C, the old SR 16 roadway can be removed and the new drainage and stormwater ponds can be built by Cheney Stadium.
The columns and abutments for the WB Snake Lake structure are complete and as soon as WB traffic is shifted to the EB structure the contractor can start setting girders.
Post tensioning of the 6th Ave box girder bridge should start by the end of March.
At the Pearl Street bridge, decking for the bottom slab has started. Reinforcing steel placement should begin by the first part of April.
|
|
Design Construction Impacts
Maintaining compatible work zones has been the result of ongoing coordination between SR 16 HOV construction and the adjacent Tacoma Narrows Bridge project.
Contractor surveying has presented some challenges and points out the need for accurate and sufficient information in the plans.
The contractor has submitted two Cost Reduction Incentive Proposals. The second CRIP was approved. The main concepts are revised staging and revised roadway sections.
|
|
Environmental Impacts / Compliance
For phase three of this project, 32 acres at Leach Creek mitigation site is in WSDOT possession. An alternate mitigation plan has been submitted which includes storm water treatment at Leach Creek and funding of improvements at China Lake.
For the entire project Temporary Water Pollution and Erosion Control Plans, Spill Prevention Plans, Fugitive Dust Plans, and Health and Safety Plans have been developed and are being implemented. High visibility fencing has been installed around wetland boundaries. Storm water run-off is being collected and treated to Department of Ecology standards for WSDOT construction projects. Water quality monitoring is performed regularly to ensure that turbidity thresholds are not exceeded at discharge points.
Some slope failures occurred during heavy rains but they have been stabilized and covered with plastic. One stormwater pond overtopped and spilled into an adjacent wetland. A walk thru with DOE the next day identified no violations.
WSDOT staff are conducting monthly walk-throughs with Department of Ecology and City of Tacoma staff to review work activities and BMP's on project.
The bridge contractor received a warning letter from DOE about their crane on the work trestle over Snake Lake. The contractor was not providing adequate protection under the crane so DOE told them they could not store the crane on the bridge anymore.
|
Impacts to Traffic
Intermittent shoulder closures and nighttime lane closures can be expected throughout the project.
The interim Phase 3a traffic shift (eastbound traffic) between Snake Lake and 19th Street occurred March 20, 2006. The final shift into full Phase 3a (westbound traffic) will occur in mid-April.
The Phase 3b traffic shift between 19th Street and Pearl Street is scheduled for July 2006.
Electronic message signs and highway advisory radio will be employed throughout the area, including the I-5 corridor, to alert travelers about traffic conditions on SR 16 during construction. A full communication and outreach program will also be used for traffic mitigation.
Winter maintenance activities such as snow and ice removal will be performed by WSDOT Maintenance crews.
|