View entire map This project constructs a bypass for southbound SR 28 traffic to the west of the Grant Road intersection. It also widens eastbound Grant Road to allow a triple left turn from southbound SR 28.
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This is the current view of the east end of the Senator George Sellar bridge interchange.
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This is the proposed new configuration for the interchange at the east end of the Senator George Sellar Bridge.
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This Mobility Improvement project is located on SR 28 in Douglas County.
Why is WSDOT
constructing this interchange?
In 1997, the comprehensive Wenatchee Area Transportation Study (WATS) identified the need for more study of the congested SR 28/285 interchange area. Increased traffic volumes and delays were, even then, causing the Grant Road intersection to exceed its capacity. The Washington State Department of Transportation, Douglas County and the City of East Wenatchee sponsored the SR 28/285 Interchange Area Improvement Study to evaluate the community’s transportation needs and develop a specific plan.
This study was completed in December of 2002. The recommended design was a Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) at the intersection of SR 28/285 and Grant Road. This underpass-type interchange would bring all ramps to a single signalized intersection above Sunset Highway.
In October of 2003, a value engineering team, comprised of members from WSDOT, Douglas County, the City of East Wenatchee, and the Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council reviewed the proposed design and looked for ways to refine it and reduce impacts to the local businesses and the traveling public. The team recommended a plan that constructs a SR 28 bypass for southbound traffic immediately and in the future would construct a single point urban interchange at Grant Road.
The End Result
This project will construct a two-lane, one-way bypass for southbound SR 28 traffic, that will start at the eastbound off-ramp from SR 285 at the Senator George Sellar Bridge and connect to SR 28 south of 3rd Street SE. The current ramp for southbound SR 28 traffic to Grant Road will be removed and this traffic will get to Grant Road from the bypass by turning left between Fred Meyer and Top Food. A third left turn lane from SR 28 onto Grant Road and an added lane up Grant Road will also be built. This project will improve the capacity of the Grant Road intersection until at least 2014.
Another project (phase 2) to construct the recommended single point urban interchange will be needed sometime after 2014.
Project Benefits
- Safety: Safety will be improved by reducing the amount of congestion and removing weaving movements from the intersection of SR 28 and Grant Road.
- Congestion: Congestion will be relieved by removing southbound SR 28 traffic from the Grant Road intersection and placing it onto the bypass. Also, by adding the third left turn lane onto Grant Road, the signal can be optimized to benefit the heavier traffic movements.
- Environment: The alignment of this project has been developed to stay as far away from the Columbia River shoreline as feasible. Walls will be used to minimize impacts to native vegetation and sensitive areas. Permanent storm water detention and treatment facilities will be constructed to blend with the natural topography as much as possible.
What is the project timeline?
This project is scheduled to be advertised for private contractor bids on April 19, 2010.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following fund source:
- Pre-existing Funds - $29.335 Million
For project schedule and updates, please see the Quarterly Project Report.
Design, right of way acquisition and construction of stage 2, the single point urban interchange project at Grant Road, are currently not funded.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Kevin Waligorski Project Engineer
WSDOT North Central Region
2830 Euclid Ave
Wenatchee, WA 98807
Phone: (509) 667-2860 or toll free (888) 461-8816
E-mail: waligok@wsdot.wa.gov
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