SR 285 - W End George Sellar Bridge - Intersection Improvement


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 Traffic flow will be improved with changes to the intersections leading to the Senator George Sellar Bridge in South Wenatchee.

 project vicinity map 185
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The newly approved Crescent St. Exit alternatives.
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The Mission and Stevens Streets intersection is one that will be reconfigured to improve traffic flow.





Status

Fall 2009

 

A new design alternative was endorsed by the City of Wenatchee, the Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council, and the Washington State Department of Transporation.  The new design includes widening the Wenatchee Avenue Bridge on SR 285.  This widening will allow an additonal off ramp that will connect into Crescent Street.  A new signal will be installed at Crescent and Ferry intersection. 

The intersection of SR 285 Stevens and Mission Street will have two left turn lanes turning from SR 285/Stevens onto southbound Mission Street.  Mission Street will be restriped to allow for two southbound lanes until Marr Street.  There will remain two right turn lanes for turning right onto Mission from SR 285/Stevens Street.   

The intersections of Marr/Mission and Wenatchee Ave/Marr will not require a signal.  The intersection of Ferry and Mission will allow East and West thru movements. 

This Urban Mobility Capital Improvement Highway Program Project makes improvements to the west approaches to the SR 285 Senator George Sellar Bridge from milepost 0.28 (the west side of George Sellar Bridge) to milepost 0.82 (Bridge Street) on SR 285/Mission Street and local streets.

Why is WSDOT improving these intersections?
The Senator George Sellar Bridge is one of two Columbia River Crossings in the immediate Wenatchee area and serves to connect the southern ends of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee.  The current local Wenatchee intersections adjacent to the west end of the bridge create choke points for traffic approaching and departing the bridge.  These intersections cause gaps in the traffic flow causing substantial delay, accidents, and creates a general concern for traffic safety.  Current projections show an increase in traffic volumes will lead to increased congestion throughout the day.

The End Result
This project will increase the capacity of the local intersections immediately adjacent to the west end of the George Sellar Bridge, through additional lanes, limiting traffic movements at intersections and bringing the local roadway network in this area up to current design standards.  These improvements will achieve a higher traffic flow across the George Sellar Bridge.

Project Benefits

  • Bottlenecks and Chokepoints:  Adding additional lanes and limiting traffic movements at intersections will provide for a shortened signal time, improved traffic flow and reduced delay through the intersections.
  • Safety:  Relieving congestion and reducing conflict points through limiting traffic and pedestrian movements will increase the level of safety for motorists and pedestrians.
  • System Efficiency:  The project will synchronize signals within the project limits to increase the system efficiency and maximize traffic flow.

What is the project timeline?
This project is scheduled for construction in the summer of 2012. 

Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:

  • 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $18.458 Million
  • Other Agency Funds - $3.5 Million
  • Total Funding From All Sources - $18.458 Million

 

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Project Engineer, Eric Pierson
North Central Region
P.O. Box 98
Wenatchee, WA 98807
Phone: (509) 667-2870 or toll free (888) 461-8816
e mail: piersoe@wsdot.wa.gov

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