View entire map This project is located in Chelan County at MP 103.8-104.8 on US 2 (Stevens Pass Highway), where it intersects with US 97 (Blewett Pass Highway).
View entire photo Groundbreaking on April 3rd
View entire photo The photo above shows a conceptual design of the completed project.
View entire aerial photoThe most recent design places the interchange where the current gas station and mini storage are located.
Project Facts
- The project addresses a High Accident Location in a High Accident Corridor.
- An equipment under crossing has been added to the project from a request from the Design/Access Hearing.
- Refinement of the interchange design has dramatically reduced the number of commercial and orchard acres needed by more than 50% to approximately 21 acres.
Spring 2008
Project progress and traffic impacts are available on the
weekly construction updates.
Through October:
- The temporary traffic signal at the US 2/97 intersection is activated.
- Traffic is rerouted onto the new bypass roadway on the north side of US 2.
- The Blewett Junction Road intersection with US 2 is permanently closed.
- The Doghouse Rd. intersection with US 2 is permanently closed. (This is where the multi-purpose orchard equipment and pedestrian undercrossing is being built under US 2.)
- The Big Y Junction intersection with US 2 is permanently closed.
- A 35 MPH reduced speed limit is in effect through the work zone.
- This project is one of four chosen for a photo speed enforcement test this summer. Read the news release.
Construction began April 7th and will be complete in 2009. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Thursday, April 3rd. Read the news release.
This Safety Improvement project eliminates the US 2 and US 97 at-grade intersection by constructing a new interchange 1000 feet west of the existing intersection.
Why is WSDOT
constructing this interchange?
The 2002 US 2/97 Safety Corridor Study (pdf 1.86 mb) recommends short and long term projects to address the High Accident Locations and High Accident Corridors between the Big Y interchange and Wenatchee.
As a result of the study, the intersection of US 2 and US 97 was identified as an intersection with a large number of accidents making it both a High Accident Location (HAL) and part of a High Accident Corridor (HAC). In addition, this intersection consistently shows up on the North Central Region's high accident intersection list.
The End Result
Construction of the new interchange will increase safety by eliminating the at-grade intersection. The interchange will provide safer turning movements to and from US 2 and US 97. Interchange ramps will allow traffic to reach highway speeds prior to merging with the through traffic. The interchange will also allow safer crossing for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The existing county road system will be modified to accommodate local traffic as well.
Project Benefits
• Safety: A grade-separated interchange will reduce the potential for collisions by providing safer turning movements to and from US 2 and US 97.
• Safety: An interchange will provide safer passage for pedestrians and bicycles.
• Congestion: The new interchange will accommodate increasing traffic volumes well into the future.
What is the project timeline?
Construction began April 7th, 2008 and should be complete by the fall of 2009.
Public Involvement
On April 3rd, 2008, the community gathered at the Big Y to celebrate the beginning of construction with a formal ground breaking ceremony.
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Since the project was funded, a series of open houses were held as a way for the community to be informed and more than 150 of you attended and provided input.
A formal (and legally required) Design/Access hearing was held on November 3, 2004. From that Hearing, a concern about restrictions to access across US 2 was raised and an equipment under crossing was requested. The 2005 Legislative Transportation Budget included $1,000,000 to add a multi-purpose under crossing connecting Blewett Cutoff Road and Dog House Road.
If you have questions or concerns about this project please contact the Project Office, listed below.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT is committed to protecting the environment and is making every effort to assess and minimize any negative impacts from this project. All applicable environmental laws and guidelines are being followed.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
As the primary highway access to North Central Washington from the Puget Sound area, improving safety for those coming to this tourist dependent region is critical. At the same time, safety during construction is critical and a work zone and traffic safety plan is in place to protect motorists and the construction workers while the work is underway.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
WSDOT seeks to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.
Financial Information
Contract advertisement began September 24th, 2007. Twelve bids were opened on November 15th. Contract #7418 was awarded to the low bidder, KLB Construction, Inc. on November 20th for $9,776,446.25, 14% below the engineering estimate.
This project is funded through the following source:
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Project Engineer Eric Pierson
WSDOT North Central Region
P.O. Box 98
Wenatchee, WA 98807
Phone: 509.667.2870 or toll free 888.461.8816
E-mail: piersoe@wsdot.wa.gov
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