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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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Recent Progress
Work on this project started on April 24, 2006. In February of 2007 we completed most of the underground work, the placement of nearly 800 shafts some up to 80' deep. These shafts support the retaining walls that allow us to drop the grade of the north and southbound lanes of SR543.
Contract activities this year have focused on excavation, paving of the new lanes and the construction of the new D Street undercrossing.
In mid August 2007 the detour was moved to the new, future, northbound lanes to allow the Contractor access to the existing roadway. This existing roadway is very close to where the new left hand ramp access to D Street will be.
Most improvements south of H Street were completed in the 2006 construction season. It is hoped to be able to open the new truck lanes by the fall of 2007 and the remaining new lanes in the summer of 2008.
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Design Construction Impacts
Due to the limited space in this corridor it is planned that the dedicated truck lane, which was closed in early October 2006, will need to be closed for about 1 year. The Department and the Contractor have worked diligently to determine if there were options that would minimize or eliminate the need to close this truck lane. Due to the tight physical constraints and the significant elevation differences that have to be accomodated it was determined there was no way to construct this portion of the project and provide for the safest possible area for travelers and workers. The Contractor was able to find ways to minimize this closure from what was planned, but the need for the closure could not be eliminated.
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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.
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Impacts to Traffic
Construction is currently ongoing and is planned to last through the summer of 2008.
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. The D Street closure commenced on November 1, 2006 and will last for about 1 year. Other City crossing closures will not be allowed to occur during this closure.
Detours will be provided when short duration closures of SR 543 or intersections with SR 543 are required to facilitate construction.
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