Greetings from the WSDOT Eastern Region:
The holiday season has arrived in the Eastern Region, and along with it comes winter weather. I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone to please drive safely with an eye on weather and roadway conditions. Our crews are out in force working hard to keep the highways open and as safe as possible, but we have to rely on you to drive according to the conditions. Ice and snow conditions can change rapidly.
In this month’s newsletter we talk about revised construction concepts for the North Spokane Corridor, a report on innovations in our radio communications system, plus a few other bits and pieces on our activities.
Remember, if you have any questions about the information here or other transportation issues, please let me know. Give me a call at (509) 324-6010 or e-mail at metcalk@wsdot.wa.gov
If you received this newsletter forwarded to you from someone else, you can sign up to receive it at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/Eastern/EmailUpdates You can also view previous editions of this monthly publication.
Keith Metcalf
Regional Administrator
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WSDOT identifies interim construction plan to open more sections of the North Spokane Corridor
With the first segment of the US 395 North Spokane Corridor slated to open in 2009, and a second segment in 2011, WSDOT is exploring options that would extend work further to the south, opening a drivable section of new highway from Francis Avenue to the Spokane River.
The funded construction that is currently underway puts traffic on a 5.5-mile section of the highway, from US 395 at Wandermere to the vicinity of Francis Avenue.
Engineers have identified a variety of opportunities that could produce an interim four-lane roadway for a substantially reduced price tag. Early estimates indicate that such a facility could be opened to traffic for approximately $285-300 million, well below the cost for the originally proposed eight-lane design. The four-lane section would be built to allow for the addition of the final four lanes when traffic volumes and funding warrant.
Along with an interim four-lane configuration, some of the potential money-saving design adjustments could include changes in the adjacent rail lines, on and off ramp locations, retaining wall requirements, and placing the roadway at ground level.
When the North Spokane Corridor Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and subsequent Supplemental EIS were written, engineers created proposed designs based on existing conditions and future assumptions based on those conditions. As with any predictions, circumstances can change.
We should be adaptable to changing conditions and make adjustments as needed. Factors such as the rising cost of fuel, increasing cost of construction materials and, of course, the economic realities of today require us to be flexible as we move this project forward
WSDOT engineers will continue to refine their designs in anticipation of possible funding for this section.
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Retired shipping containers find new role at WSDOT
Those shipping containers that carry products to and from the USA across the oceans have a unique new use at the Washington state Department of Transportation.
Because our crews work in remote locations across our seven-county region, two-way radio communications is a very important tool used to keep in touch. The radio communication system often works where cell phone coverage fails, due to a network of “repeater” stations located at higher elevations.
Many of these repeater facilities were built in the mid 1970’s and have served the Department well over the years, but new technology and the need for alternative power brought the need for larger quarters for the equipment.
Here’s where the shipping containers come in. Constructed of steel, they are large, sturdy, secure, affordable, and readily available. WSDOT crews spent a few weeks converting two of these units into a self-contained communications equipment shack. The units were then trucked to the mountaintop site and placed on a foundation with a crane.
All of the electronic equipment for the WSDOT (and other agencies such as the Washington State Patrol) fits inside the unit-including the generator. Everything, except the antenna of course, is secure and out of the weather.
With enough interior space for additional equipment, the Department expects to get many decades of use out of this new facility.
Radio equipment nside the new building.
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SR 20 emergency repairs completed
This repair work was an emergency slope rehabilitation project near Republic, Washington. Over the past several years, storm water runoff on the south side of the roadway has been eroding the highway slope, requiring repair by maintenance crews each spring. Due to the large volume of storm water runoff from the heavy snow accumulation last winter, the slope required significantly more work to prevent further damage. Because this work was beyond the usual repairs our maintenance crews handle, a contract was awarded to HAP Taylor & Sons, dba Knife River Corp.
The embankment repair work consisted of excavating the existing roadway the length of the washout area and the entire lane width. The existing slope material was removed down to an underlying rock shelf in the first slide area and down to the existing wall in the second. Walls constructed out of wire baskets filled with rocks, called Gabions, were constructed to stabilize the area. Approximately 165 gabion baskets were installed. The area between the wall and the roadway was backfilled and compacted. The entire section was then repaved using 133 tons of hot mix asphalt. New curbing was constructed to keep water from overtopping the roadway and eroding the area.
The project was completed by the Prime Contractor, Knife River of Colville, and their subcontractor, Westway Construction of Airway Heights. They expedited the materials procurement and worked extended shifts to advance the project to completion prior to the onset of winter weather. The work was finished in early November.
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WSDOT Liaison maintains relationships with area tribal nations
In a continuing effort to maintain a good working relationship with the Tribal nations in eastern Washington, the WSDOT has a specialized staff member in the tribal liaison position.
Megan Nicodemus has been with the Department for over a year, working with all of the tribes in eastern Washington on behalf of the WSDOT Eastern Region and South Central Region. The WSDOT Tribal Liaison Office was created in 2001 as the central point of contact for tribal issues. Megan is also a point of contact for tribal governments needing information about our services and staff.
The Eastern Region WSDOT works with six tribal governments, the Spokane Tribe, Colville Confederated Tribes, Kalispel Tribe, Yakama Nation, Coeur d'Alene Tribe, and Nez Perce tribe. Many of our WSDOT projects are located adjacent to or on tribal lands and tribes must be consulted. Our process of consultation is very formal when federal dollars are involved to fund a project, however, the communications with tribes can also be very informal where we meet and talk about plans and ideas for projects.
If you need more information, Megan can be reached at (509)324-6202 or via e-mail at: nicodem@wsdot.wa.gov .