View entire map This project removed the sidewalks and reconfigured the bridge deck for another eastbound lane.
View larger version - (Before) This was an artist's conception of the new EB lane and pedestrian bridge.
*2152K .pdf available here.
View entire photo The "weave" into one lane for eastbound travelers will be eliminated when the loop ramp gets its own lane and the west end improvements are complete.
View entire photo These sidewalks were removed to provide the needed width for the additional eastbound lane.
View entire photo The six red designations show where WSDOT Geotechnicians took soil samples in March of 2008.
View entire photo This is the drilling machine used to do the soil analysis as the project was designed.
Complete July 2011
Construction started May 11, 2009. Work resumed in February, 2010 and was complete July 29, 2011.
There was an open house in October on the final design for the west end improvements, which also featured updates on the east end project, now under construction, and the 3rd lane project completed in July.
There is a collection of
Sen. George Sellar Bridge Project photos posted on the WSDOT flickr site.
This Urban Mobility Capital Improvement Project added another eastbound lane to the SR 285 Senator George Sellar Bridge to reduce congestion. It removed the sidewalks to build the 5th lane. A new bicycle and pedestrian structure was added to the southside of the bridge.
Why is WSDOT
adding an additional eastbound lane?
The approaches to the George Sellar Bridge are experiencing heavy congestion, causing traffic delays. Currently the bridge has two westbound and two eastbound lanes.
On the east end of the bridge, a two lane eastbound bypass is currently under construction. This will increase the number of drivers changing lanes over the length of the bridge to take the bypass.
On the west end of the bridge improvements will begin construction in 2012, where the two eastbound lanes converge into one inside lane within a very short distance. In addition a loop ramp from busy South Wenatchee Avenue feeds the current outside eastbound lane. This configuration creates congestion, delays and safety concerns. The two eastbound lanes currently act as a pinch point, creating conflicts on both sides of the bridge, including collisions. Click here for more information on all three Sellar project.
The End Result
By adding the eastbound lane to the bridge, the east side gains a defined lane to enter the bypass and reduces traffic weaving. The west side gains a third lane to match the lanes feeding the bridge, reducing conlicts and decreasing the delays.
This project will remove the sidewalks from the bridge to accommodate a third eastbound lane. A new bicycle and pedestrian structure will be added to the southside of the bridge. The current structure has a 54' wide deck for cars (4 - 12' lanes plus 3' shoulders) and 5' wide sidewalks with metal railings. When we are done it will have a 61' wide deck for cars (5 - 11' lanes with 2' shoulders) and a 2' median separating the opposing traffic, plus concrete shoulder barriers which are safer than the metal railings.
Project Benefits
- Reduces Driver Conflicts: Vehicles changing lanes on the bridge to take the bypass will be reduced as should the potential for collisions.
- Eliminating Bottlenecks and Chokepoints: The added lane will increase the flow of eastbound traffic onto the bridge from Mission Street reducing congestion and delay.
- Increasing Highway System Efficiency: The new lane will increase the efficiency of both the eastbound on-ramp and off-ramp at each end of the bridge, improving the efficiency of the local road system as well.
What is the project timeline?
Construction began May 11, 2009 and was complete July 29, 2011.
Financial Information
Project signage will reflect the cost of construction engineering, project bid award and sales tax.
| Financial Data for PIN 228500A |
| Funding Source |
Amount ($ in thousands) |
| 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) |
$0 |
| 2005 Gas Tax (TPA) |
$17,556 |
| Pre-Existing Funds (PEF) |
$11 |
| Total |
$17,567 |
|
The project was advertised for private contractor bids on Jan. 26, 2009. Four qualified bids were opened on March 19. On March 24, contract #7677 was awarded to the Max J. Kuney Co. of Spokane for $12,884,988.00, 22% over the engineering estimate.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Kevin Waligorski Project Engineer
WSDOT North Central Region
P.O. Box 98
Wenatchee, WA 98807
Phone: (509) 667-2860 or toll free (888) 461-8816
Email: WaligoK@wsdot.wa.gov
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