SR 704 - Cross-Base Highway Project

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending June 2007

Project Title & Location
SR 704 - Cross-Base Highway, Spanaway

Project Description
When completed this project will provide a direct east-west highway connecting I-5 and SR 7. The Cross-Base Highway will be a new six mile, four lane limited access highway with four signalized intersections and two new interchanges.

Contractor/Consultant
HDR, Inc. has been selected to perform the PS & E for Project #1. (Spanaway Loop Rd. to SR 7)

Recent Progress
The 60% review of  PS&E plans for Project #1 (Spanaway Loop Road to SR 7) was completed in March 2007. Permits for Project #1 are ongoing. Plans for Approval (PFA) for Project #1 was approved October 31, 2006.  Design Approval for the entire corridor was approved on February 2007.  Right of Way acquisition for Project #1 is underway.  Project #1 Hydraulics Report submitted for approval on May 14, 2007.  SEPA adoption Notice posted May 1, 2007.  Constructability review for I-5 / SR 704 Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) is underway.  Public open house was held on May 23, 2007 at Camas Prairie Elementary School, Spanaway.

Design Construction Impacts
This project will construct a new highway connecting I-5 and SR 7. To accommodate the I-5 connection, the project will construct a new Thorne Lane interchange. A new southbound connector roadway will link Gravelly Lake Drive to Thorne Lane to minimize interstate traffic congestion. The Thorne Lane interchange reconstruction will be accomplished south of the existing interchange allowing motorists to use the existing facility during construction of the new Thorne Lane bridge over the interstate.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
During the EIS phase, the selected alternative was chosen because it avoids many sensitive areas.  In locations where impacts are unavoidable, design will minimize impacts to the environment by use of retaining walls, bridges and steeper side slopes.

Impacts to Traffic
Project designs will incorporate sound traffic management practices to minimize impacts to motorists.  Traffic impact at the existing Thorne Lane/I-5 interchange will be inevitable during construction of the new Thorne Lane I/C.  Minimal disruption of I-5 traffic is anticipated.

Project Milestones Scheduled Attained Milestone Outlook
Begin Preliminary Engineering September 11, 2003 Record of decision was attained in August 2004. Design approval was attained in February of 2007
Environmental Documentation Complete August 2, 2004
Right of Way Certification June 16, 2008 October 2006 This milestone has been accomplished.
Project #1 Advertisement June 16, 2008 Current design effort for Project #1 is ahead of schedule.  Expected advertisement date for Project #1 is January 2008.
Estimate Open to Traffic (Project #1) December 31, 2009 The construction of project #1 is expected to complete in December 2008.
Project Cost Summary: Dollars in
millions
Percent
of Total

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

Preliminary Engineering $26.74 62.3%
Right-of-Way $ 3.2 7.5%
Construction $13.1  30.5%
Funded Project Costs $42.95 100.0%

Nickel funds included in above costs

$15.0 34.9%

2005 Transportation Partnership Account

$15.0 34.9%

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

Mel Hitzke, Project Engineer, (360) 570-6660.