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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 include continued construction of illumination and communication systems in the vicinity of the George Washington Way Interchange, paving various ramps leading to the City of Richland and SR 240 eastbound. With water tables receding, construction of the Superspan structure and wetland mitigation site has resumed. Currently, the westbound portion of the Superspan structure is complete. Preparations are being made to the new westbound lanes for the Phase 2 traffic switch scheduled for late October of this year. This work involves placing temporary concrete barrier, striping and signing to accommodate 4 lanes of traffic.
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Design Construction Impacts
Modifications to the illumination system in the vicinity of the Richland Y Interchange corrected luminaire placements at the Columbia Park Trail to SR 240 westbound ramp to mainline acceleration taper. A change order was created to move 2 luminaires to a traffic barrier mount, elevating the luminaires to the correct mounting height. The grade difference between the planned location and illuminated roadway was not taken under consideration. The change included the addition of 1,800 LF of 2 inch conduit and associated barrier mounted junction boxes. The cost of this change order amounted to $45,000.
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Environmental Impacts / Compliance
SCR Environmental staff is currently working with WDFW, Dept. of Ecology, local conservation groups and the City of Richland to purchase over 45 acres of property to fulfill the mitigation requirements. Purchase of the property would include an agreement to place the property into a conservation easement to protect approximately 16 acres of high quality wetlands adjacent to Amon Creek.
Final grading of the mitigation site has been completed in accordance with the wetland mitigation plan. Compost has been added to the site, and will be incorporated into the soil. Following completion of he irrigation system the site will be planted in early November.
Other completed mitigation measures include two raptor poles and phase 1 of a large bottomless arch culvert for wildlife and hydraulic connectivity between the east and west side of SR 240.
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Impacts to Traffic
Impacts to traffic during this quarter remain minimal. Through out the quarter, all lane restrictions and other traffic impacts have been scheduled and made available on the WSDOT Website and through the local media.
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