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Project Title & Location
SR 543 - I-5 to Canadian Border - Additional Lanes for Freight
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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.
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Contractor/Consultant
David Evans & Associates are the design consultants.
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Recent Progress
Real estate acquisition began in February 2004, and is nearing completion, with a only a small number of parcels left to acquire at this time.
A test shaft project to evaluate possible cost savings during construction was completed in September, with preliminary results indicating that the State can reduce costs without sacrificing structural performance by modifying the construction techniques and layout patterns used for the foundation shafts.
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Design Construction Impacts
Real estate acquisition began late February and was originally projected to take 22 months. Turnkey consultants were retained to accelerate right of way acquisiton, and have significantly shortened the schedule.
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Environmental Impacts / Compliance
An initial Environmental Assessment (EA) was completed with a finding of "no significant impact" issued in Sept. 2001. Recent design modifications require that the EA be updated.
Stormwater systems will be upgraded to modern standards. Wetland impacts will be mitigated with a replacement area within the same drainage basin.
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Impacts to Traffic
Construction is currently planned to start late 2005 early 2006 and take two years to complete. At least one lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained.
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