From the Regional Administrator
Welcome to our combined August 2010 newsletter. This month we highlight the North Spokane Corridor and several highway construction projects.
As always, if you have any questions on items in this newsletter, or other transportation issues, please let me know. Give me a call at (509) 324-6010 or drop me an e-mail at metcalk@wsdot.wa.gov .
Keith A. Metcalf, P.E.
Regional Administrator
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North Spokane Corridor/US 2 to Wandermere Bridge Girders
Prime contractor Graham Construction continues to make progress on this project. A major component is the construction of the twin steel plate girder bridges that connect to the existing US 395 at the north end of the project. The contractor is setting the girders between the piers.
Eighty steel girders will be fitted together to form the two bridges. The northbound bridge is 1,050 feet long with the southbound structure a little shorter at 975 feet in length. Each steel girder is about 80 feet long and several are connected together to reach across the 190 to 200 feet between the bridge piers.
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Groundbreaking held for latest NSC project
The latest round of major work on the North Spokane Corridor (NSC) officially began on Tuesday, September 7th when federal, state and local transportation policymakers turned the first shovels of dirt.
U.S. Senator Patty Murray and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood joined state Senator Chris Marr, Spokane Mayor Mary Verner and state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond in the ceremonial groundbreaking for a 3.7-mile project from Francis to Farwell. When completed in early 2012, it will add three southbound lanes and five new highway bridges and two new bicycle/pedestrian bridges, creating a fully divided highway. It also will mark the completion of the travel lanes for the north half of the 10-mile North Spokane Corridor. Traffic is already driving on the completed northbound side of the segment, with one lane open in each direction.
Graham Construction and Management of Spokane is the prime contractor.
This $26.7 million project is funded through the Transportation Infrastructure Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. The North Spokane Corridor work was submitted along with two other projects in Washington state in a national competitive process for funding. The TIGER grant is a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
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I-90/Port of Entry Construction
WSDOT contractor crews began installation of the weigh-in-motion equipment for the new I-90 Port of Entry on Friday, September 10th. Westbound Interstate 90 is reduced to ONE lane at the Washington/Idaho border. Westbound drivers should expect slow traffic, congestion and delays, especially during the commute periods. This is a long-term lane closure and will be in effect until September 23rd to provide for the installation of the in-lane “Weigh-in-Motion” equipment, including excavation, electronic scale system installation, and concrete pavement placing and curing. Work on the weigh station buildings, parking areas, and ramps is ongoing. The project will be completed in 2011.
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US 2/Division Street Construction
The first phase of the Euclid to Francis paving project is underway. The contractor will be constructing the concrete intersection at the Division Street/Wellesley Avenue intersection. Prep work with sign installation and raised island removal began on Saturday, September 11 with some lane restrictions. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, September 14, Division Street will be reduced to two through lanes at Wellesley Avenue in north Spokane. Left turns will not be allowed from Division Street between Longfellow Ave. and Queen Ave. Wellesley Avenue will be closed to all cross traffic at Division Street. Through traffic on Wellesley will be detoured via Garland Ave. and Queen Ave. Eastbound Wellesley will be closed at Division Street. Westbound Wellesley right turns to northbound Division will be allowed. All businesses will be open but may have alternate accesses. This is a long-term closure for up to 22 days. Drivers on Division Street should expect slow traffic, congestion, and delays, especially during commute hours.
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SR 27/Pine Creek Bridge
Construction continues on this replacement bridge structure between Oakesdale and Tekoa. The contractor has placed the bridge girders and is now tying in the existing roadway to the new structure. Through traffic on SR 27 is now detoured around the project using Whitman County roads. This detour will be in place up to 45 days. This may affect fans traveling to and from Washington State University home football games on September 25, October 9, and October 16.