Q: Why did WSDOT conduct a value engineering study?
A: A value engineering study was conducted on the State Route 20, Fredonia to Interstate 5 project design to determine whether local access at the
SR 20/Interstate 5 interchange could be improved. Although the current design provides access to local roads near the interchange, the City of Burlington and Skagit County asked WSDOT to explore ways to improve local access and still remain within WSDOT’s current budget and schedule constraints.
Q: What is a value engineering study?
A: Value engineering is a systematic process bringing outside experts together to review a complex project and search for opportunities to improve the project. Value engineering teams search for ways to reduce project costs, enhance safety, reduce impacts on local communities and the environment, and make sure the completed project will operate as effectively as possible. It is a proven, effective tool that improves project design, construction, and function.
Q: How does value engineering work?
A: Value engineering begins with the assembly of a team whose members have diverse expertise and no ties to the project. The team uses five phases – investigation, speculation, evaluation, development, and presentation – to guide them through the review. The team develops and presents proposals to improve a project. These are considered by the project team and, if valid, are incorporated into the project design.
Q: When were study results released?
A: The value engineering study began on Monday, September 29. Recommendations were presented to WSDOT, the City of Burlington and Skagit County public works staff on Thursday, October 2. These parties are now reviewing the recommendations to decide which can and should be incorporated into the project design.
The results of the study were released October 17th. WSDOT held and open house Nov. 13 and sought input from the community.
Q: What were the results of the study?
A: The Washington State Department of Transportation incorporated two changes into the design of the $83 million State Route 20, Fredonia to Interstate 5, construction project. The changes were developed by a value engineering team, a group of freeway design experts who reviewed the original design and suggestions from local residents.
The new design shifts the south end of Goldenrod Road and the bridge supporting new southbound I-5 on and off ramps slightly to the east. All other aspects of the project design remain the same. The new project design will not change the schedule or budget of the project.
Q: What will it cost to modify the SR 20/I-5 interchange?
A: The construction cost of the interchange portion of the project is $20 million and includes:
• realign the southbound I-5 on and off ramps, construct embankment and two bridges to elevate the ramps over Goldenrod Road,
• modify the northbound on and off ramps at the I-5/SR 20 interchange, which includes adding a second left turn lane to the northbound off ramp,
• close the existing Peterson road connection to SR 20 and build a new connection further to the west that aligns with the new southbound ramp terminals on SR 20,
• rebuild signals at the Goldenrod Road intersection and the northbound ramp terminals,
• install a signal at the new Peterson Road/southbound ramp terminals on SR 20,
• adding two new lanes between the new Peterson road connection and the northbound off ramps,
• add sidewalk along the south side of SR 20 between the new southbound ramp terminal and just east of the northbound ramp terminal and on the north side of SR 20 from the I-5 overcrossing to the vicinity of the northbound ramp terminal,
• and improvements to Nevitt Road and a new connection between Nevitt Road and Goldenrod Road.