View entire map This project removes the current sidewalks and reconfigures the bridge deck for another eastbound lane.
View entire photo The "weave" into one lane for eastbound travelers will be eliminated when the loop ramp gets its own lane.
View entire photo Sidewalks will be removed to provide the needed width for the additional eastbound lane.
View entire photo The six red designations show where WSDOT Geotechnicians took soil samples in March of 2008.
View entire photo This is the drilling machine used to do the soil analysis as the project was designed.
Project Facts
- Design work is currently underway.
- Construction is scheduled for 2009.
- Capacity will be increased and congestion reduced with the addition of a new eastbound lane.
Spring 2008
A public meeting to update everyone on the most recent designs of all three George Sellar Bridge Projects is set for Wednesday, May 28th from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Wenatchee Community Center on South Chelan Street.
The project is scheduled for advertisement to solicit private contractor bids this December. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2009 and be complete in 2010.
This Urban Mobility Capital Improvement Project will add another eastbound lane to the SR 285 Senator George Sellar Bridge to mitigate congestion.
Why is WSDOT
adding an additional eastbound lane?
The approaches to the George Sellar Bridge are experiencing heavy congestion, causing traffic delays. Currently the bridge has four lanes: two westbound and two eastbound.
On the east end of the bridge, a two lane eastbound bypass is to be constructed. This will increase the number of drivers changing lanes over the length of the bridge to take the bypass.
On the west end of the bridge, two existing eastbound lanes converge into one inside lane on the bridge in a very short distance. In addition a loop ramp from busy South Wenatchee Avenue feeds the second eastbound lane. This roadway configuration creates safety concerns, congestion and delays on the west end of the bridge. The two eastbound lanes currently act as a pinch point, creating conflicts on both sides of the bridge, which has led to delays and collisions.
The End Result
By adding the eastbound lane to the bridge, the east side gains a defined lane to enter the bypass and reduces traffic weaving. The west side gains a third lane to match the lanes feeding the bridge, decreasing the delay onto the bridge, and improves safety.
This project will remove the sidewalks from the George Sellar Bridge to accommodate a third eastbound lane. A new pedestrian structure will be added to the southside of the bridge.
Project Benefits
- Safety: The conflicts between drivers changing lanes on the bridge to take the bypass will be reduced and lower the potential for accidents.
- Bottlenecks and Chokepoints: The added lane will increase the flow of eastbound traffic onto the bridge from Mission Street and reduce congestion and delay.
- System Efficiency: The added lane increases the system efficiency of eastbound traffic on both the eastbound on-ramp and off-ramp at each end of the bridge as well as the local system affected by the current condition.
What is the project timeline?
This project is scheduled to be advertised for private contractor bids this December with construction to follow in the spring of 2009.
Public Involvement
The three Senator George Sellar Bridge Projects were featured at an open house on September 12th, 2007 in Wenatchee. It was a well attended opportunity to learn about the plans for the west approach, the new lane on the bridge and the east end improvements that will be constructed over the next several years.
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Two public meetings have been held over the past four years. If you have questions or concerns about this project please contact the Project Engineering office listed below.
Environmental Protection
The appropriate environmental documentation will be completed to address potential environmental issues for the project. As preliminary designs are refined, environmental issues will be evaluated and appropriate mitigation developed. WSDOT is committed to protecting the environment, and makes every effort to assess and minimize negative impacts from highway improvement projects.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
In addition to the benefits of the project itself, a comprehensive traffic control and work zone safety plan will be prepared to protect both the workers and the traveling public.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
Close communication with the tribal nations will be ongoing throughout this project. WSDOT seeks to address the concerns of tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:
- 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $13.5 Million
- Total Funding From All Sources - $13.5 Million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Kevin Waligorski Project Engineer
WSDOT North Central Region
P.O. Box 98
Wenatchee, WA 98807
Phone: (509) 667-2860 or toll free (888) 461-8816
Email: WaligoK@wsdot.wa.gov
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