SR 270 - Pullman to Idaho St Line - Additional Lanes

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending December 2004

Project Title & Location
SR 270/Pullman to Idaho State Line.   East of Pullman in Whitman County.

Project Description
As Revised September 2004 - Constructs one additional lane in each direction with a two way turn lane between Pullman and the Idaho State line. The project will increase capacity and reduce travel times. Safety will be enhanced with the addition of a two way turn lane to provide separation between opposing directions of traffic. There are currently two lanes. There will be four through lanes when this project is completed.

Contractor/Consultant
Project not yet advertised or awarded

Recent Progress

This project constructs a four-lane highway with a continuous turn lane along the existing SR 270 alignment, as reported in the September 2004 Gray Notebook. A public open house presenting the current plans was held on October 20, 2004 with favorable results.

Design Construction Impacts

Design work is currently focused on contract plans and environmental documentation. Additional wetlands have been identified within stormwater treatment areas and roadway fills. The advertisement date will be delayed approximately ten months, from January 2005 to November 2005, to make necessary changes to the design plan. As reported last quarter, this resulted in shifting $2.4 million from 03-05 into 07-09 and delaying the open to traffic date one year to November 2007.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

Revisions are being made to the environmental documentation  with completion expected just prior to the revised contract ad date.  Additional wetlands have been identified in stormwater treatment areas which will require further mitigation.

Impacts to Traffic
No significant impacts expected until the project is under construction.  Mitigation efforts include a comprehensive public awareness campaign.

Project Milestones Scheduled Attained Milestone Outlook
Start Project July 2003 July 2003  
Environmental Document October 2005   The revised schedule is tightly tied to the attainment timeline for permits. 
Right of Way October 2005   New right-of-way plans complete.  New appraisals and offers underway.
Contract Ad November 2005  

Revisions to the project have delayed the original Ad date by 10 months to November 2005.

Project Cost Summary: Dollars in
millions
Percent
of Total

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)
Project Expenditure Chart

Preliminary Engineering $ 4.2 14.0%
Right-of-Way $ 6.3 21.1%
Construction $ 19.4 64.9%
Funded Project Costs $ 29.9 100%

Nickel funds included in above costs

$28.5 95.3%

2005 Transportation Partnership Account

  For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects

Glenn Wagemann, WSDOT Project Engineer @ (509) 324-6251 Or E-mail wagemag@wsdot.wa.gov