Project Facts
- Center turn lane with rumble strips will allow access to adjacent properties and refuge for left turning vehicles while warning errant drivers and separating opposing traffic.
- Added travel lane will reduce potential for collisions by eliminating need for traffic to be in opposing lane to pass.
- Additional wetlands will be established and Paradise Creek will be improved in an effort to enhance the corridor.
Why is WSDOT
improving SR 270?
The Department will improve capacity and safety by widening SR 270 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane facility with a 14-foot wide median lane configuration. SR 270 is an important commute route between two university communities, Pullman (Washington State University), and Moscow (University of Idaho). Along with passenger vehicles, this route also carries a large number of heavy trucks.
The End Result
This project will add a general-purpose lane in each direction and will provide a 14-foot center turn lane with rumble strips to enable traffic to access adjacent properties and to separate opposing traffic. This will improve traffic flow and safety
Project Benefits
• This project will substantially improve safety by creating additional lanes.
• The project will increase capacity and reduce travel times.
What is the project timeline?
June 1998, preliminary engineering began; but was suspended in January 2000, due to a reduction in funding. February 2001, preliminary engineering was started again, with the intent of completing the Access Report. This document is necessary to establish Access Control and purchase right-of-way. An Access Hearing was held in January 2002. The findings and order were published in November 2002.
Tight Budgetary restraints coupled with soil conditions, construction issues, and land use changes are behind a revised design for the project. Overall, these issues added approximately $7 million to the project estimate. As this project is funded under the 2003 Legislative "Nickel" package, there is a funding level of $28.5 million available to cover Design, Construction, and the purchase of Right of Way.
WSDOT Engineers have developed a project design that balances safety, capacity, budget, and landuse. The original design was a limited access, rural, four-lane divided highway. Access to the adjacent properties was envisioned by a network of frontage roads along the highway with a limited number of direct approaches. Recent changes in land use classification from rural to commercial, and the potential for increased development, means the highway design should be more urban in nature. The urban corridor design will consist of a four-lane highway along the existing SR 270 roadway alignment, with a 14' paved center turn lane. This design will include rumble strips along both sides of the center lane and on the shoulders to warn errant drivers.
Currently, the process of putting together the plans, specifications, and estimate is complete and the project was put out for bid. Right-of way acquisitions began in July 2003 and are nearly complete with all parcels either complete or having granted Possession and Use.
The contract was been awarded to North Central Construction of Moses Lake, WA and major construction is complete with traffic open to 5 lanes in Fall 2007. Some finishing work is now underway.
Public Involvement
Interested citizens should contact the project engineer's office listed below or WSDOT Eastern Region Public Affairs at (509) 324-6015.
An open house was held October 20, 2004 at the Holiday Inn Express, Pullman. Approximately 200 visitors attended and were updated on the project.
An informational open house will be held from 4pm to 7pm Thursday June 15, 2006 at the Holiday Inn Express, Pullman. The intent of this open house will be to discuss the project and potential construction impacts.
Environmental Protection
The proposed SR 270 widening project shifts the existing SR 270 alignment to the north, with the specific purpose of minimizing impact to: wetlands, Paradise Creek and the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail. However, about 6 acres of wetlands could not be avoided. Consequently, WSDOT met with Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to evaluate the wetland area impacted and to develop a mitigation plan that would replace these 6 acres of wetlands. The project will include 15 acres of wetland and riparian creation and/or enhancement. The proposed mitigation plan calls for a new wetland site to be created near the Sunshine Road intersection and wetland creation/enhancement along Paradise Creek just north of Sunshine Road. The mitigation plan further provides enhancements to Paradise Creek by purchasing additional land currently being used for grazing cattle and enhancing it iwth additional plantings. Another important proposal of the mitigation plan is to plant native trees and shrubs at various locations along the creek to shade and cool the water.
With this design, the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail that now parallels SR 270 on the south is not affected.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
While the majority of accidents on this section of SR 270 appear to be intersection related (rear end & at angle), there is a history of collision problems. The accidents are due in a large part to the high traffic volumes (on some sections volumes reach 14,000 vehicles per day) restricted to a two-lane roadway. Head-on collisions spurred in part by improper passing, driver fatigue or driver impairment have resulted in serious accidents. This project would substantially improve safety by creating a 14-foot wide median with rumble strips and an additional lane in each direction. These improvements will provide for passing of slower or turning vehicles and the rumple strips will help warn the errant driver. The Bill Chapman Palouse Trail that parallels the existing highway on the south side provides a convenient route for bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
The WSDOT Eastern Region Environmental Office has contacted the Spokane Tribe, Colville Confederated Tribes, the Kalispel Tribe, the Coeur d' Alene Tribe and the Nez Perce Tribe, to introduce these tribes to our proposed plan of widening SR 270 and to ask for their help in identifying any culturally sensitive areas within the corridor. WSDOT has contracted Eastern Washington University to perform an Archeological and Historical Survey.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:
- 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) - $28.5 million
- Existing Funds - $2,128,053
- Other Agencies $588,396
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $31.2 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Project Engineer, Chad Simonson
WSDOT Project Office
2714 N. Mayfair
Spokane, WA 99207
Phone: (509) 324-6250
E-mail: SR270Project@wsdot.wa.gov
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