From the Regional Administrator
Welcome to our November 2010 newsletter. This month we highlight a completed bridge and some construction projects.
The holiday season, and along with it, winter weather has arrived in the Eastern Region. 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.
As a resource for winter driving information, I invite you to check out our Winter Driving page on the internet (www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter). It has information on traction equipment for your vehicle, suggestions for an emergency car kit, and links to our Mountain Pass Reports. In addition, as a special seasonal feature for winter drivers in our seven-county, northeast Washington region, we list road conditions for our more heavily traveled highways: Interstate 90, US 2, US 195, and US 395, plus SR 26. You can obtain those reports by dialing 5-1-1 on your home or cellular phone or view on the internet at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts/Eastern.aspx .
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 .
- - - -
First major snow of the season
On Monday afternoon, November 22 through the following day, most of Eastern Washington experienced our first major storm of the season. Heavy snow, combined with winds gusting to nearly 50 miles per hour made driving a challenge on many highways. Drivers were faced with blowing and drifting snow causing visibility problems and blocked highways.
Several state highways were closed including US 195, SR 23, 27, 28, and 231. Motorists were told to avoid those highways. Drivers were advised that the roads were impassable however some were already on those highways when the closures occurred. In one instance, a school bus with passengers was stranded on State Route 28 on Monday evening, a Lincoln County Sheriff deputy attempted to reach the bus but was unsuccessful. Finally, in an effort that took a couple of hours, WSDOT Maintenance Tech, Jack Wilcox was able to reach the location and lead the bus to safety.
Crews worked through Monday evening, overnight, and all day Tuesday to open the closed highways with the final section, a portion of SR 27, finally opened at about 5:00 p.m. It’s important to note that in a blowing and drifting snow event, our crews may have to wait until winds subside before they can make progress in clearing the highways.
- - - -
Severe Weather and Emergency Road Closures
Washington State Department of Transportation and the Washington State Patrol are asking for the motoring public’s assistance and cooperation in adhering to emergency road closures and being aware of traffic/weather warnings and conditions.
Snow and wind combined to create drifts and poor visibility resulting in emergency road closures and hazardous driving conditions last evening and into today. WSDOT closed sections of several state routes to prevent drivers from entering areas that were impassable. Drivers who risk passing the road closures are not only subject to a $124 fine but could also become stranded. Due to the weather and roadway conditions, these stranded motorists are taking their lives into their own hands as there could be an extended delay in help arriving due to the dangerous conditions.
The WSDOT and WSP want to remind motorists to drive with caution and be prepared for winter driving conditions. Please slow down, increase your following distances and give yourself extra time to arrive at your destination safely.
- - - -
North Spokane Corridor/Parksmith Interchange project funded for construction
In early 2010, the WSDOT Eastern Region was awarded the $35 million Tiger Grant for use on the NSC. With the great bidding climate, the bid for the NSC/Francis to Farwell Southbound Lanes project came in under the originally estimated amount. With about $7.5 million remaining in the grant, we submitted a proposal to USDOT to utilize those funds to complete the full freeway facility within those project limits. In early November, we received notice that our proposed project, NSC/Parksmith Road Interchange, had been approved. This is good news as it will allow this project to be advertised for construction in May of 2011 once design is complete.
- - - -
Bones found on I-90 project
On October 21st, a bone was unearthed where contractor crews were excavating at the I-90 Spokane Viaduct column repair project. WSDOT Eastern Region staff notified all the proper authorities, including the Spokane County Medical Examiner and Spokane Tribe. The first indications were that the bone was human. All work was stopped. Due to the potential for looting, no media release was sent. After a thorough investigation of the site by the authorities plus the Spokane Tribe, and following their approval, work was allowed to resume on October 26th. The remains were sent to the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation for testing. On Tuesday, November 2, they advised that the remains were NOT human. The column repair project was wrapped up during the last week in November.