SR 270 - Pullman to Idaho St Line - Additional Lanes

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending December 2006

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
North Central Construction (NCC) of Moses Lake, WA

Recent Progress
This project constructs a four-lane highway, with a continuous center turn lane, along the existing SR 270 alignment. The project was executed May 8, 2006 and work started on July 10, 2006. Some of the construction activities have included Clearing, Grubbing, Excavation, Embankment, blasting, crushing, placing ballast, installing culverts, and structure work.  Excavation of the Sunshine Road wetland mitigation site has begun, as well as, seeding, fertilizing, and mulching erodible soil areas.

Design Construction Impacts
The relocation of the utilities along the corridor have impacted the project prompting a revision to the sequencing. Coordination efforts are being utilized to maintain the "open to traffic" commitment. Winter weather is beginning to impact current work activities.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

Environmental Sensitive areas have been delineated with Orange High Visibility fencing. Silt fence and inlet protection have been placed to help mitigate surface erosion. Further TESC measures are being placed to further this effort.

Impacts to Traffic
No significant impacts other then the blasting operation.  Utilizing the Traffic Management Center (TMC), News Alerts, Highway Advisory Radio's (HAR's), and Variable Message Signs (VMS) to provide information to the public.

Project Milestones Scheduled Attained Milestone Outlook
Start Project July 2003 July 2003  
Environmental Document October 2005 February 2006  The revised schedule was tightly tied to the attainment timeline for permits.   The lengthy JARPA review by the Army Corps of Engineers impacted the Ad date.
Contract Ad November 2005 March 2006 Advertised March 6, 2006. Awarded April 26, 2006.
Start Construction May 2006 July 2006 The project was executed May 8, 2006 and work started on July 10, 2006. Earthwork, blasting, and temporary signal system are underway.
Open to Traffic Fall 2007
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, WSDOT Project Engineer @ (509) 324-6252 Or E-mail simonsc@wsdot.wa.gov