Project Title & Location
SR 539: Horton Road to Ten Mile Road Widening
MP 1.67 to MP 6.26

Project Description
Widening Guide Meridian Road to five lanes will increase safety and traffic capacity along this heavily-traveled traffic corridor. This widening work will also provide an additional lane of traffic in each direction along a major freight corridor between Bellingham and Aldergrove, British Columbia.

Contractor/Consultant
KPFF is the primary design consultant

Recent Progress

Necessary property acquisition began in June 2001 and is approximately 90% complete.  The remaining properties are currently in the final stages of acquisition.

This project was originally scheduled to be constructed in two phases.  Delays in acquiring a wetland mitigation site has pushed this project back into one contract.  Restoration and replacement of impacted environmental elements are a permitting requirement of this project.  Recent updates have caused us to seek a new site where this restoration can occur.

The plans for this contract are being finalized and is scheduled to be advertised for bidding in December 2006.

A Value Engineering Study/Cost Risk Assesment was completed in May 2006 for this project.  This study assisted in incorporating changes so that the scope of the work would meet the allocated budget for this project.

Design Construction Impacts

Recent inflationary trends in the construction industry and prices being seen in this area indicate that it is critical that we meet our target dates in order to be within the budget allocation for this project.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

This project will provide storm water detention and treatment ponds.  New wetlands will also be constructed to mitigate for impacts during construction.

Environmental permitting for the entire project is complete.  Environmental issues and new wetlands discovered in the wetland redelineation completed in late 2004 have pushed the projected advertisement date out from the originally scheduled April 2005.

Impacts to Traffic

Staged construction will minimize traffic impacts.  During construction, one lane of traffic in each direction will be open at all times. Detour routes will be provided when side roads are closed. 

The Value Engineering Study recommended a December 18, 2006 advertisement rather than February of 2007.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account