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Project Title & Location
- SR 240/I-182 to Richland Y – Add Lanes, - SR 240/Richland Y to Columbia Center Interchange -Tri-Cities
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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.
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Recent Progress
Activities this quarter included completion of bridge structures SR 240/15 and I-182/14 with the application of pigmented sealer remaining. Repairs to bridge I-182/14 pier 3 concrete failure during post tensioning last quarter were completed. Structural Earthen Wall's 3 and 4 are complete. Construction of the new illumination and signal systems are complete, now waiting for power connections by the City of Richland. Construction of the Superspan structure for wildlife and hydraulic connectivity started during the last quarter. Construction progress has been hampered by the unexpected high water levels of the Yakima and Columbia Rivers. Contour grading of the Wetland Mitigation Site is complete, although flooding caused by the high water levels have halted any further progress. Asphalt (HMA) base paving is about 90% complete. The new Portland Cement Concrete Paving on SR 240 westbound is also about 90% complete. The project remains ahead of schedule dispite slow downs of certain areas of work.
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Environmental Impacts / Compliance
SCR Evironmental staff continues to work with WDFW, Dept. of Ecology, local conservation groups and the City of Richland to find alternatives to meet our mitigation shortfall of approximately 3 acres. This commitment has yet to be resolved.
Final grading efforts at the mitigation site have been delayed due to unanticipated and sustained high water levels. We are currently investigating this issue with the WSDOT Hydraulics and Landscape Architecture offices, and we anticipate moving forward soon.
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Impacts to Traffic
Impacts to traffic during this quarter remain minimal. Lane restrictions for bridge false work removal were required on Columbia Park Trail and I-182 for a period not lasting more than 5 days. The City of Richland closed the intersection of SR 240 (George Washington Way) and Columbia Point Drive, Thursday evening, June 16th to 5:00 a.m., Monday morning, June 19th. During this closure, ICON took advantage of the closure, doing their work at the intersection thus avoiding future traffic impacts. Through out the quarter, all lane restrictions and other traffic impacts have been scheduled and made available on the WSDOT Website and through the media.
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