SR 543 - I-5 to Canadian Border - Additional Lanes for Freight

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending December 2004

Project Title & Location
SR 543 - I-5 to Canadian Border - Additional Lanes for Freight

Project Description
Constructs new lanes between Boblett Street and the Canadian border for a separate truck route to address congestion and safety issues on SR 543. Constructs a new interchange at "D" Street. There are currently two lanes. There will be four lanes when this project is completed.

Contractor/Consultant
David Evans & Associates are the design consultants.

Recent Progress

Property acquisition began in February 2004, and is nearing completion. 

Design Construction Impacts

We made edits to our environmental permits and as a result the project advertisement date could be delayed. 

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

An initial Environmental Assessment was completed with a finding of "no significant impact" issued in Sept. 2001.  Recent design modifications require that the Environmental Assessment be updated. 

Stormwater systems will be upgraded to modern standards.  Wetland impacts will be mitigated with a replacement area within the same drainage basin.

Impacts to Traffic
Construction is currently planned to start summer 2005 and take two years to complete.  Traffic may be detoured around portions of State Route 543 to facilitate intersection construction.  At least one lane of traffic in each direction will be required to provide access to the border at all times. 

Project Milestones Scheduled Attained Milestone Outlook
Begin PE July 1998 July 1998 Completed
Environmental Documentation July 2004   Environmental Assessment discipline reports are currently being updated as a result of design modifications to the noise and retaining walls.  The reports are expected to be completed by mid December, 2004. Delays are attributed to the need for rights of entry for the affected parcels.
Right of Way Certification March 2005    
Contract Advertisement April 2005

 
Open to Traffic January 2008
Project Cost Summary: Dollars in
millions 		Percent
of Total

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)
Project Expenditure Chart

Preliminary Engineering $5.4 m 16.6%
Right-of-Way $2.87 m 8.8%
Construction $24.2 m 74.5%
Funded Project Costs $32.47 m 100%

Nickel funds included in above costs

 $19.1 m 58.8%

2005 Transportation Partnership Account

  For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects

Mark Russell P.E., WSDOT Project Engineer @ (360) 788-7403 or E-mail: russelm@wsdot.wa.gov