Project Title & Location

- SR 240/I-182 to Richland Y – Add Lanes,

Project Description
This project constructs additional lanes on SR 240 between Richland and Kennewick, linking Interstate 182 with the US Department of Energy's Hanford site, the Columbia Center commercial areas, and east Kennewick's industrial zones. The project will save travel time for auto and vanpool commuters and expand the bicycle corridor. There are currently four general purpose lanes; there will be six lanes when the project is completed.

Contractor/Consultant
Project not yet advertised or awarded

Recent Progress
All appraisals for right of way purchase (except the US Army Corps of Engineers parcel) are in. Two additional properties have signed and title clearing is taking place. The access point decisioin reports have been turned in for review. The contract plans are 50% complete. HQ Geotechnical crews have completed the on site drilling to evaluate for retaining wall, new roadway sub-grade, infiltration ponds and the secondary flood stage bridge.

Design Construction Impacts

We don't foresee any environmental risks at this point. Construction sequencing for this project may impact the SR 240/Yakima River Bridge Replacement contract (6522). The design team is looking at coordination between C6522 and phase 3&4 construction. The proposed sequencing would keep traffic on the eastbound bridge at the completion of C6522 instead of putting traffic onto both bridges. Keeping traffic on one bridge allows the phase 3&4 contract to complete the roadway up to the westbound bridge without impacting traffic. Traffic would then be switched over to the westbound bridge to complete the roadway up to the eastbound bridge. This sequencing would save construction time and cost for both the C6522 project and the phase 3&4 projects, as well as reduce traffic impact.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
The Environmental Assessment (EA) is currently under draft review by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA ) and WSDOT. Impacts to wetlands, Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Section 4(f) resources associated with the Yakima River Delta Habitat Management Unit (HMU) are primary concerns. Tentative schedule for completing Formal Consultation under the ESA is January 15, 2004. The FHWA has tentatively agreed to allow us to circulate the EA for formal review (30 days) prior to the Biological Opinion issuance, since the 135-day timeframe for formal consultation has expired (November 20, 2003). A conceptual mitigation plan is complete and ready to be included in the Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA) that is also underway.  Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation is currently with FHWA for review. We expect to receive the NEPA decision document by 4/04 and to obtain permits by 10/04.

Impacts to Traffic

It is anticipated that two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction during peak traffic times except for several weeks when traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction between the Richland Y and Columbia Center Blvd. It is likely there will be a 3 to 4 day total roadway closure to reconstruct connections to ramps and bridges. Detour routes will be maintained during these closures.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account