Project Title & Location
SR 9, Schloman Road to 256th Street NE

Project Description
This project will widen SR 9 to provide 12 ft lanes and 4 ft shoulders while realigning curves, flattening slopes and improving safety features. This project will provide water quality treatment and detention, and wetland mitigation and left turn lanes at Armstrong Rd, 252nd St, and 268th St. This project will reduce the number and severity of accidents on SR 9 between the Stillaguamish River and Bryant.

Contractor/Consultant
Parametrix consultant designer for project.

Recent Progress

The Final Stormwater Report is pending completion of a Flood Equalization Study, which is being completed by Parametrix.  The Environmental permit applications have been returned by the resource agencies with comments. Region Environmental is addressing agency comments and preparing to resubmit for agency approval.  The utility company relocation plans have been initated.  The 60% PS&E package was submitted by the consultant on 6/6/06. Review comments have been returned to the consultant.  100% PS&E package is due on August 14th.

We are anticipating approximately $812K ($150K PE and $662 CN) in total budget overruns.  Based on inflation, this overrun could grow to $1.2M by the mid-point of construction. 

The construction cost for the three combined projects is over budget by $662K at the 60% level of PE development.  This overrun is primarily due to the large price increases for fuel oil associated with asphalt and haul items of work.  Steel price adjustments were also necessary due to the lack of availability on the commercial market.  Design is estimated to be over budget by $150K ($100K consultants, $50K WSDOT) due to redesigns and additional work that has been required to get the project Ad ready and obtain environmental permits.  R/W is anticipated to be delivered on budget.

While we have looked at a number of options to reduce the budget overruns, we have decided to accept the overruns and seek additional funding.  Our justification is due to the safety nature of the project improvements, the long-term need for the improvements and the reality that WSDOT will not be back in this area with construction improvements in the foreseeable future.

Design Construction Impacts

Construction activities will necessitate shoulder and lane closures for transition sections between the new alignment and existing alignment in the Schloman Road vicinity.  Lane and shoulder closures will also be required for the intersection improvements at 252 and 268^th.  Weekend closures and detours will be necessary to connect the new alignment to the old at Schloman Road Vic.  A Risk Matrix has been prepared for the project.  The matrix indicates risk associated with R/W certifications prior to Ad, construction cost increases due to changing market conditions, utility relocations, and environmental permits.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
Project will impact 1.5 acres of wetlands and will place fill in the floodplain.  Wetlands adjoining the project will be restored to mitigate impacts and floodplain impacts will be mitigated for in accordance with the zero rise requirements.  One residence will be relocated make way for new roadway. 

Impacts to Traffic

Construction will require lane closures for widening activities.  Two weekend closures and one 5 day closure will be necessary to connect the new alignment to the old.  The construction office will need to coordinate with State, Local, and private stakeholders. 

JARPA application denied without prejudice by DOE.  We are coordinating with the DOE and incorporating our responses into a new application package.  

Sno Co. comments to the Shoreline Permit application and Flood Hazard Permit application received.  Requested a flood equalization study to verify that water is not being impounded between the old and new roadway alignments in the Schloman Road segment.  Parametrix is in process of completing the study.  Region Environmental staff are responding to remaining comments, including proximity of wells and drainfields to the roadway widening improvements.

The Water Quality Certs (released under the JARPA application, above) cannot be released until after the Shoreline Permit is approved.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account