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Project Title & Location
SR 24 - I-82 to Keys Road - Additional Lanes - Yakima
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Project Description
This project constructs one additional lane in each direction from I-82 to Riverside Road, improves the interchange, and constructs a new bridge over the Yakima River, relieving congestion, improving safety, and addressing erosion at the Yakima River Bridge piers.
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Recent Progress
The contractor, Max J. Kuney has completed the roadway work this quarter, giving traffic full use the new roadway. WSDOT hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 28, 2007 to celebrate the opening of the roadway to traffic.
The contractor started the process to remove the old bridge over the Yakima river on June 1st at the start of the fish window. Work continues on roadside features of the highway.
On May 2, 2007 WSDOT dedicated corridor revitalization art work on the project.
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Environmental Impacts / Compliance
Due to recent listing of critical habitat for Mid-Columbia River Steelhead, additional coordination was necessary with the National Marine Fisheries Service prior to beginning 2007 in-water work. Verbal concurrence was received on June 1, 2007 allowing the contractor to begin in-water work without delay.
The contract office approved a demolition plan for the old SR 24 Bridge that includes primary and secondary containment. We anticipate minor updates to regulatory permits by the middle of June because of necessary plan changes.
Field inspectors and region environmental staff will closely monitor demolition, and take water quality samples as necessary.
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Impacts to Traffic
A lane will be closed on I-82 as needed for construction access. The I-82 lane closure will cause back-ups during high traffic flows. The speed limit is reduced to 35 mph on SR 24 from I-82 to Riverside Road for the life of the project. When needed, traffic on SR 24 will be controlled by flaggers. Motorists can expect delays up to five minutes and possible backups.
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