From the Regional Administrator
Welcome to our March/April newsletter. Here’s a look at some of the state highway construction projects we have for this season.
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 Metcalf
Regional Administrator
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2010 Construction
Jobs already underway
SR 27/Pine Creek Bridge Replacement-On March 29, Thompson Bros. Excavating, Inc. of Vancouver, WA started on this project, located about halfway between Oakesdale and Tekoa in northeastern Whitman County. The existing timber-supported bridge that crosses Pine Creek is structurally deficient and due for replacement. During snow melt periods, water can flow across the low-lying roadway to the west of the bridge requiring closure of the highway. This project replaces the existing timber bridge with a concrete girder structure. In addition, the adjacent roadway grade will be raised to eliminate flood-related seasonal road closures.
Most of the early work will be off the main roadway, with only minor impacts to the motoring public. There may be some occasional lane restrictions with flaggers directing traffic. For several weeks later in the project, during the phase where the new bridge and roadway realignment is tied back into the existing highway, SR 27 through traffic will be detoured around the work via the Tekoa-Farmington Road and Belmont-Farmington Road. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2011; however, the new bridge and roadway may be open to traffic in late 2010.
Thompson Bros. is the prime contractor on the job with a construction bid of $2,301,453. Funding for this project came from the Transportation Partnership Act (TPA) passed by the 2005 legislature.
US 195/Dowel Bar Retrofit-As we mentioned in February, a project is underway on US 195 from Hatch Road to I-90. We are placing dowel bars between the existing concrete panels, replacing broken panels then smoothing the concrete lane surface with a diamond grinder. This job is only in the northbound lanes. There was not enough funding to take care of the southbound lanes. Hopefully, that can be funded sometime in the near future.
North Spokane Corridor (NSC) -We are still working on two major projects on the NSC between Farwell Road and existing US 395 at Wandermere. Bridges for the US 2/NSC interchange and the NSC/existing US 395 Interchange are taking shape. The TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Grant funded job to build the southbound lanes from Francis to Farwell was advertised for bids on March 22 and we expect construction to get underway in June or July. All three projects should wrap up and be open to traffic in late 2011.
Some upcoming projects
US 195/Idaho to Colton-This is a Hot Mix Asphalt resurfacing job in Whitman County. Work should start in late April. Poe Asphalt Paving, Inc. is the prime contractor.
I-90/Spokane Port of Entry Relocation-Selland Construction of Wenatchee will begin work April 19 on this project to build a new port of entry about a mile west of the state line.
US 395 Paving-Two paving projects on US 395 will be advertised for bids and get underway later this spring. These are in Spokane from Euclid Avenue to Francis Avenue and from the “Y” to the Stevens County Line north of Deer Park. The project in Spokane has not yet been advertised for bids. The job from the “Y” to the Stevens County Line has been awarded to Inland Asphalt, Inc. of Spokane and should get underway in May.
More projects will be coming up later this season. For a list of our 2010 jobs, check our website at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/Eastern/projects .
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US 2 Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements in Airway Heights
The City of Airway Heights is getting some long awaited modifications to three existing mid-block crossings of US 2. Work includes installing new pedestrian crossing lighting and controls, overhead flashing beacon lights, and reconfiguration of the existing refuge islands. Added work items include the installation of two solar powered, radar speed indicator signs and upgraded pavement striping at the crosswalks. Pedestrians will be able to actuate the eastbound and westbound overhead flashing beacons separately to warn motorists of their intention to cross each leg of US 2 traffic. Federal Enhancement funds are being used to pay for the $230,000 worth of improvements scheduled to begin in late April and finish up in early May.