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

The HQ Bridge office is designing three structures and two retaining walls included in the project. The Bridge Office determined the crossroad structure over I-182 can be widened as proposed. Because the Ad date has moved two months the bridge office has changed their 100% PS&E by two months. Charter Communications and Richland Energy have completed their conduit systems through the project. The Design Files were approved on June 16, 2004. The project Environmental Assessment and Section 4(f) Evaluation have been completed. The Federal Highway Administration issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on March 23, 2004. Adoption of the FONSI to satisfy the requirements of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) concluded on April 8, 2004.

Design Construction Impacts
Construction sequencing for this project will impact the SR 240/Yakima River Bridge Replacement contract (C6522). The design office is preparing a change order to C6522. 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 this SR 240 Add Lanes contract to complete the roadway up to the westbound bridge with minimal impact to traffic. Traffic would then be moved to the westbound bridge so the contractor can complete the roadway up to the eastbound bridge. This sequencing will save construction time and cost for both the C6522 contract and this Add Lanes project, as well as reduce traffic impacts.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

WSDOT doesn't anticipate any delays from environmental permitting. A Draft Wetland Mitigation Plan is currently under review by regulatory agencies. Permits received to date include a City of Richland, Shoreline Management Substantial Development Permit and a Hydraulic Project Approval from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). We expect the US Army Corps of Engineers, Section 404 Permit and the WS Department of Ecology Section 401 Permit by late summer.

Impacts to Traffic
Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction during peak traffic times. It is likely there will be three total roadway closures, each 3 to 4 days, to reconstruct connections to ramps and bridges. Closures will be scheduled over weekends to reduce impacts to traffic. 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