WSDOT - SR 543 - I-5 to Canadian Border - December 2005 Quarterly Project Report

SR 543 - I-5 to Canadian Border - Additional Lanes for Freight - Complete February 2008
*Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending December 2005*

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 This contract is currently being advertised for bids. Opening is anticipated on January 19.
Recent Progress Project was advertised for bids on 11/14/05. The bid opening is scheduled for 1/19/06. The designated truck lane around the other side of the duty free stores and the outside northbound and southbound lanes will be constructed if funds are available. Available funds are dependent on the bids received for the project.
Design Construction Impacts The project was advertised November 14, 2005.
Environmental Impacts / Compliance An initial Environmental Assessment was completed with a finding of "no significant impact" issued in Sept. 2001. An update of the Environmental Assessment was completed in April of 2005. The update concluded that changes that ocurred since the original EA do not constitute a significant impact. Environmental permit applications were submitted in December 2004 and were obtained just prior to advertisement. 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 in spring 2006 and take two years to complete. One lane in each direction on SR 543 will be kept open through most of the construction. Access to the border will be provided at all times. Closure of City of Blaine street crossings of SR 543 will be required during the improvement of this facility. Detours will be provided when short duration closures of SR 543 or intersections with SR 543 are required to facilitate construction.

Project Milestones	Scheduled	Attained	Milestone Outlook
Begin PE	July 1998	July 1998	Completed
Environmental Documentation	July 2004	April 2005	NEPA Environmental Assessment update completed April 2005
Right of Way Certification	March 2005	October 2005	Right of way certification anticipated immediately prior to contract award in January 2006.
Contract Advertisement	April 2005	Nov 2005	Advertisement delayed until November 2005 to allow more time to obtain environmental permits and acquire right of way.
Open to Traffic	January 2008

Project Cost Summary:	Dollars in millions	Percent of Total	Planned vs. Actual Expenditures (Total Project Cost)
Preliminary Engineering	$6.3 m	13.6%
Right-of-Way	$3.7 m	8.0%
Construction	$36.2 m	78.4%
Funded Project Costs	$46.2 m	100%

Nickel funds included in above costs	$11.6 m	25.1%
2005 Transportation Partnership Account

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

Chris Damitio P.E., WSDOT Project Engineer @ (360)788-7400 or E-mail: damitic@wsdot.wa.gov