|
Project Title & Location
- SR 240/I-182 to Richland Y – Add Lanes, - SR 240/Richland Y to Columbia Center Interchange -Tri-Cities
|
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.
|
|
Recent Progress
The Work Zone Traffic Control and Constructibility meeting was held in July. The PS&E Package will be submitted to Region for review at the end of September. The Hydraulics Report received approval on September 21, 2004. Utility Agreements for detour routes, pathway maintenance, and Water/Sewer work are being executed.
|
|
Design Construction Impacts
The planned 120' Overflow Bridge is being replaced with a super span structure that has a 30'1" span and a 14'3" rise. The planned $ 2.2 million overflow bridge is being replaced with the $500,000 super span structure because the project was not receiving mitigation credit equivalent to the cost of the bridge. An additional $200,000 in mitigation is going towards the Amon Creek enhancement area, off-site of the project. Completing the design of Retaining Wall 1 has been delayed due to the delayed delivery of the Geotechnical Report. Right of Way funding has increased from $10.8 million to $12.8 million. The additional $2 million can be accommodated by transferring available funds from the construction phase. These changes will not impact the advertisement date.
|
|
Environmental Impacts / Compliance
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. 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 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Hydraulic Project Approval. We expect the US Army Corps of Engineers, Section 404 Permit and the WS Department of Ecology, Section 401 (Water Quality Certification) and Section 402 (Stormwater, NPDES- Construction) permits by November 2004.
|
Impacts to Traffic
Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction during peak traffic times. It is likely there will be two 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.
|