View entire map Stage 3 of this slope stabilization project will install large rock slope netting above SR 28 between milepost 11.83 and milepost 11.96, near Rock Island Dam, in Douglas County.
Picture of the slope looking west.
An example of a helicopter hanging nets.
Project Facts
- 18,000 dump truck loads of rock were removed during stage 1
- By comparison, only 700 dump truck loads were needed to remove rock during stage 2.
- The project was broken into three stages to accommodate wintering Golden Eagles and the needs of fruit growers and shippers.
April 2008
Construction began with a 92 hour closure from March 28th to April 1st to scale the rock from the slope above the highway. Read the
news release.
Stage 3 - the Rock Island Slope Nettings project - involves two steps to stabilize the slope. The first step scaled the slope. Technicians knocked down loose rocks and pried potentially hazardous rocks from the bank onto a bed of sand on the highway below.
During the second phase, crews will hang nets over those scaled slopes. During the short periods when the nets are being draped down the slope, traffic will be stopped. Expect this second phase to begin in August.
Why is WSDOT
stabilizing this slope?
The primary purpose of all three stages of the rock stabilization project is safety. The current slope nettings project will reduce the number of rocks falling onto the highway creating a hazard for travelers. An unstable 300 foot high basalt rock slope has continuously produced falling rock onto SR 28. The highway and railroad tracks occupy a thin strip of land between the base of the cliffs and the Columbia River, just below Rock Island Dam in Douglas County. WSDOT maintenance crews are routinely called to clear hazardous rock fall from the roadway. The slope nettings project will significantly improve traveler safety.
The End Result
The rock slope nettings will provide redirection and containment of rocks that fall from the slope onto SR 28 below Rock Island Dam in southern Douglas County.
Project Benefits
Aside from the benefits of reducing the driving hazard presented by falling rocks on the highway and the accommodations for future expansion of SR 28, drainage and sight-distance are also improved. This further improves safety and reduces maintenance expenses.
What is the project timeline?
- Stage 1 began April 1st of 2003 and was complete on August 28.
- Stage 2 began April 5th of 2004 and was scheduled to be complete by mid August, but due to an increase in wall size and complexity, the completion of this project was delayed until October 8th, 2004.
- Stage 3 was advertised for private contractor bids on November 13th, 2007. Construction began March 28th and will be complete by this fall.
Public Involvement
During the summer of 2007, Public Open Houses were held for Wenatchee area residents on July 24th, and for Quincy residents on the 25th to get input on the traffic plan and project schedule. Click here to read the news release.
The original plan called for the work to be complete in two construction seasons. As a result of WSDOT's experience during stage 1, fruit industry representatives were invited to discuss the impact of traffic delays at harvest times. The project was broken into three stages to try to minimize impacts to the early cherry harvest, the soft fruit and apple harvests, August through October.
Since there are no easily applied detours around the project, a traffic control plan for commuters, truckers, travelers, emergency service providers and the railroad was a top priority. For Stage 3, significant planning and resources were applied to put into a place a public information program to provide users with timely and accurate travel delay and road closure information.
- Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. If you have any questions and/or comments, click here to contact us. If you are interested in receiving updates on this project, click here to send us an email so we can add you to our list.
Environmental Protection
All applicable environmental regulations continue to be followed as this project continues. Among them are the dates when work can be done. Between November and March, work was prohibited because of the wintering Golden Eagles in the area.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
While the purpose of the slope stabilization project is to remove a hazardous road condition that threatens travelers on the highway, the safety of those working on and driving through the project is an equally high priority. Comprehensive work zone and traffic control safety plans were included in the project planning.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
On site investigation and tribal consultation indicate this project will have no effect on any identified culturally or historically significant sites. WSDOT seeks to address the concerns of 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
Stage 3 of this project is funded through the following sources:
- Pre-Existing Gas Tax - $4.1 million
- Total funding from all sources - $4.1 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Bob Romine, Project Engineer
WSDOT North Central Region
2830 Euclid Avenue
P.O. Box 98
Wenatchee, WA 98807-0098
Phone: (509) 667-2880 or toll free (888) 461-8816
E-mail: rominer@wsdot.wa.gov
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