October 2009
- All lanes are open to traffic on SR 20.
- The majority of work on this project is complete. Crews still have minor projects to wrap up before the project is finished this fall.
- See what construction work is planned for this week.
Overview
We are just completing this project which widened approximately five miles of State Route 20 from two to four lanes between State Route 536 (Memorial Highway) and Interstate 5 in Burlington. In addition, we improved the on- and off-ramps at the SR 20/I-5 interchange.
Why is WSDOT
widening State Route 20?
SR 20 was a two-lane undivided highway from SR 536 to Interstate 5. There have been a large number of serious collisions along this stretch of highway. Drivers routinely experienced congestion near the SR 20 /I-5 interchange. There were not enough lanes to efficiently move traffic through the interchange. In addition, the northbound on- and off-ramps, and Goldenrod Road, which provided access to the southbound I-5 on- and off-ramps, were not efficiently handling increased traffic demands.
The End Result
We widened five miles of SR 20 in Burlington to four lanes, between SR 536 and I-5, to improve safety and relieve congestion. Drivers will also pass through the SR 20/I-5 interchange more safely and with reduced congestion.
Stage 1: Our contractor, Scarsella Brothers, Inc. of Kent started stage 1 construction in April 2007. Specifically, we:
- Widened SR 20 from SR 536 (Fredonia) to east of Higgins/Airport Way,
- Divided the highway with a 32-foot grass median and cable barrier,
- Built four bridges,
- Added a traffic signal at Higgins/Airport Way,
- Built a wetland mitigation site.
Stage 2: Stage 2 construction began in spring 2008. Specifically, we:
- Widened SR 20 to four lanes from east of Higgins/Airport Way to the I-5 interchange,
- Added additional turn lanes and rebuilt the signal at Avon-Allen Road,
- Realigned Pulver Road to accommodate through traffic and installed a new traffic signal with additional turn lanes,
- Built new elevated southbound I-5 on- and off-ramps,
- Built a new signalized intersection to connect the southbound I-5 ramps and the new Garrett Road to SR 20,
- Built a new signalized intersection at Nevitt Road and extended Nevitt Road under the elevated ramps,
- Removed the access and traffic signals at the intersection of SR 20 at Goldenrod Road/Peterson Road,
- Widened the northbound off-ramp from one to two lanes,
- Added a second westbound through lane under the bridge at I-5,
- Divided the highway with a grass median and cable barrier between east of Higgins/Airport Way and Pulver Road,
- Built three bridges and extend a box culvert,
- Constructed storm water treatment facilities,
- Planted a mitigation site,
- Interconnected the traffic signals at Rio Vista Blvd, Haggen’s Access Road, northbound ramps, Nevitt Road and southbound ramps/Garrett Road,
- Added new street lighting at several intersections.
Project Benefits
- Safety - Dividing the highway with a median and cable barrier will reduce collisions. New traffic signals will increase safety at busy intersections. The improved on- and off-ramps at the I-5 interchange will reduce the risk of collisions.
- Congestion relief - The improved interchange will have greater capacity for cars and improve traffic flow. Improved on- and off-ramps will help ease congestion.
What is the project timeline?
- Fall 2009 - We expect the entire project to be completed.
- July 15, 2008 - Stage 1 complete.
- Spring 2008 - Construction began on Stage 2.
- April 2008 - We awarded the second stage of this project to Imco Construction for their low bid of $28.4 million.
- April 2007 - Construction on Stage 1 began.
- February 21, 2007 - We awarded Stage 1 of this project to Scarsella Brothers, Inc. for their low bid of $15.1 million.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following fund sources:
- 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) - $107,200,000
- Existing Funds - $8,300,000
- Other Agency Funds - $2,700,000
Burlington, Skagit PUD, Comcast, Cascade Natural Gas, Puget Sound Energy, Verizon
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $118,200,000
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Communications Dave Chesson
WSDOT Mt. Baker Headquarters
1043 Goldenrod Road, Suite 101
Burlington, WA 98233-3415
Phone: 360-757-5970
E-mail: ChessoD@wsdot.wa.gov
Project Engineer David Crisman
Mount Vernon Project Engineering Office
1109 East Hickox Road
Mount Vernon, WA 98274
Phone: 360-428-1593
E-mail: Crismad@wsdot.wa.gov
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