SR 270 - Pullman to Idaho St Line - Additional Lanes

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending December 2005

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 center turn lane, along the existing SR 270 alignment.  Development of environmental documentation regarding wetlands and water quality issues has been completed and a multi agency environmental application (known as JARPA) was submitted to Regulatory Agencies with final approval expected Fall, 2005; however, this approval has been delayed due to requests for new or additional information and is now expected mid January 2006.  Contract plan preparation is approximately 90% complete.  Right of Way for 26 of 27 acquisition parcels has been completed with final parcel granting P&U.  Certification is expected by the end of December.

Design Construction Impacts

A significant part of the JARPA is the Section 404 Corps Permit, which is currently awaiting approval and will be followed by a Section 401 Water Quality Certification.  The 404 Corps Permit is required to secure funding and has thus impacted the Ad date.  As needed the Region will make every effort to maintain the Construction window, therefore not impacting the project opening.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

No Impacts

Impacts to Traffic
No significant impacts expected until the project is under construction.  Mitigation efforts will 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.   The is lengthy JARPA review by the Army Corps of Engineers has impacted the Ad date.
Right of Way October 2005   Right-of-way certification is expected by the end of December
Contract Ad November 2005  

Previously noted revisions to the project have delayed the original Ad date by 10 months to November 2005.  Complications in Environmental permit approvals has delayed the Ad to March 2006.

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

Chad Simonson, Acting WSDOT Project Engineer @ (509) 324-6252 Or E-mail simonsc@wsdot.wa.gov