WSDOT Projects

View entire map Traffic flow will be improved with changes to the intersections leading to the Senator George Sellar Bridge in South Wenatchee.


View more photos The interpreters were busy at the September 2007 Open House.

View entire photo The Mission and Stevens Streets intersection is one that will be reconfigured to improve traffic flow.


View entire photo This is the proposed configuration for the west end of the George Sellar Bridge. The photo is looking east at the Mission St./Stevens St. intersection.


View entire photo This is the proposed configuration for Mission St. on the west end of the George Sellar Bridge. The photo is looking north at the Mission St./Ferry St. intersection.

Project Facts

• Construction is scheduled for 2011.
• Improved traffic flow will result from the intersection improvements.
• Design work is currently underway.

This Urban Mobility Capital Improvement Highway Program Project makes improvements to the west approaches to the SR 285 Senator George Sellar Bridge from milepost .28 to milepost 1.14.

Why is WSDOT improving these intersections?
The Senator George Sellar Bridge is one of two Columbia River Crossings in the immediate Wenatchee area and serves to connect the southern ends of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee.  The current local Wenatchee intersections adjacent to the west end of the bridge create choke points for traffic approaching and departing the bridge.  These intersections cause gaps in the traffic flow causing substantial delay, accidents, and creates a general concern for traffic safety.  Current projections show an increase in traffic volumes will lead to increased congestion throughout the day.

The End Result
This project will increase the capacity of the local intersections immediately adjacent to the west end of the George Sellar Bridge, through additional lanes, limiting traffic movements at intersections and bringing the local roadway network in this area up to current design standards.  These improvements will achieve a higher maximum traffic flow across the George Sellar Bridge.

Project Benefits

• Bottlenecks and Chokepoints:  Adding additional lanes and limiting traffic movements at intersections will provide for a shortened signal time, improved traffic flow and reduced delay through the intersections.
• Safety:  Relieving congestion and reducing conflict points through limiting traffic and pedestrian movements will increase the level of safety for motorists and pedestrians.
• System Efficiency:  The project will synchronize signals within the project limits to increase the system efficiency and maximize traffic flow.

What is the project timeline?
This project is scheduled for construction in the spring of 2011. 

Public Involvement
Wenatchee’s City Council invited WSDOT to make a presentation at their Thursday night study session on January 17th, 2008 to give council members and south end residents an opportunity to find out how much on-street parking the project would affect.

All three Senator George Sellar Bridge Projects were featured at an open house on September 12th, 2007 in Wenatchee. It was well attended and an 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. If you have questions or concerns about this project please contact the Project Office.

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
Besides the benefits of the project itself, a comprehensive Transportation Management Plan for the Work Zone will be developed for the project.  The Transportation Management Plan will provide the following benefits:

• Minimize impacts to local communities and businesses.
• Improve public awareness.
• Minimize traffic and mobility impacts.
• Improve work zone safety for construction workers and the traveling public.
• Promote more efficient and effective construction staging, duration, and costs.

Will this project impact tribal resources?
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.  Close communication with the tribal nations will be ongoing throughout this project when it is constructed.

Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:

• 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $12.7 Million
• Other Agency Funds - $3.5 Million
• Total Funding From All Sources - $16.2 Million

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Project Engineer, Eric Pierson
North Central Region
P.O. Box 98
Wenatchee, WA 98807
Phone: (509) 667-2870 or toll free (888) 461-8816
e mail: piersoe@wsdot.wa.gov

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