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

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending March 2006

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 project was awarded to Imco General Construction of Bellingham Washington on March 13, 2006.  The award amount was $28.3 million dollars, about 24% over the engineers estimate.

Recent Progress

This project was awarded on March 13th.  Because this project will be built over 3 construction seasons the severe inflationary trends being seen in the construction industry impacted the bids seen for this work.

Work is expected to start in late April. 

Design Construction Impacts

No issues at this time.

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.  All construction will be done utilizing Best Management Practices to minimize or elimate any impacts to the environment.

Impacts to Traffic

Construction is currently planned to start in spring 2006 and take three 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
Contract Advertisement April 2005 Nov. 14, 2005 Advertisement delayed until November 2005 to allow more time to obtain environmental permits and acquire right of way. 
Work Start Summer 05 April 24, 2006

Work start delayed in order to have required permits and property in place to construct.
Open to Traffic October 2008
Project Cost Summary: Dollars in
millions 		Percent
of Total

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

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