February 2013
- Monday, Feb. 4 to the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 5 - Crews will close the following for work on the new overpass:
- Westbound US 2 closed between SR 9 and SR 204 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- SR 9 on-ramp to westbound US 2 closed from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Bickford Avenue closed from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Eastbound US 2 reduced to one lane at Bickford Avenue from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Crews have built the new foundations, set the bridge girders and built work platforms around them to continue working on the overpass while minimizing traffic disruptions. See photos of the work.
- Drivers are now using a temporary right-turn-only lane at the main US 2/Bickford intersection.
- Bicyclist alert: Crews have closed the eastbound US 2 shoulder near Bickford Avenue. Cyclists should follow the designated bike route on Homeacres, 52nd St SE and Rivershore Road.
- Sign up to receive email updates about work along the US 2 corridor and other state highways in Snohomish County.
We are building a new overcrossing from Bickford Avenue to westbound US 2 in Snohomish to reduce the risk of serious collisions. We are also replacing five failing drainage culverts located beneath both eastbound and westbound US 2 between the Ebey Slough Bridge and Bickford Avenue near Snohomish.
Why is WSDOT
improving the US 2/Bickford Ave. intersection and replacing culverts beneath the highway?
The US 2/Bickford Avenue intersection was the site of 13 collisions from 2006 to 2010, including eight collisions involving drivers turning left from Bickford onto US 2. The new overpass will help reduce the risk of serious collisions at the intersection by taking traffic over US 2 rather than across US 2.
The culverts beneath US 2 that carry water runoff from the roadway and surrounding areas are deteriorating. The corrugated metal pipes are corroded, allowing water to seep in under the roadway and causing the material beneath the highway and median to settle. WSDOT repairs and maintains the culverts, but they have reached their maximum lifespan and need to be replaced to preserve the roadway.
We will replace the culverts with new pipes made of thick, heavy, rubberized plastic. To accomplish this, crews will need to open up the roadway, remove the old culverts and install new pipe. This will require closing one direction of US 2 on six separate weekends in the summer of 2012. We will alternate directions each weekend and will close the roadway from Friday night through Monday morning. Detours will be in place during the closures.
The End Result
The new overpass at Bickford Avenue will help reduce the risk of collisions by allowing drivers to safely cross and merge onto westbound US 2. The new culverts will provide proper drainage for water runoff and prevent further damage to the roadway.
Project Benefits
New Bickford overpass:
- The new bridge and ramp will reduce congestion by eliminating the current intersection.
- The overpass will reduce the number of collisions because drivers will cross over US 2 instead of crossing through traffic.
- New and upgraded lighting will increase visibility for drivers.
New culverts:
- Replacing the culverts will prevent settlement underneath the highway.
- New culverts will provide proper drainage for roadway water runoff.
- The new culverts will reduce annual maintenance costs.
What is the project timeline?
- November 2010: We began designing the project
- April 2012: We advertised the project for competitive bidding.
- June 8, 2012: We awarded the project contract to Granite Construction.
- July 16, 2012: We began construction
- Aug. 3-6, 2012: First weekend closure of US 2 for culvert replacement
- Sept. 28-Oct. 1, 2012: Final weekend closure for culvert replacement
- November 2012: We expect to set girders for the new Bickford overpass
- Fall 2013: We expect to complete construction
Financial Information
Project signage will reflect the cost of construction engineering, project bid award and sales tax.
| Financial Data for PIN 100210E |
| Funding Source |
Amount ($ in thousands) |
| 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) |
$0 |
| 2005 Gas Tax (TPA) |
$0 |
| Pre-Existing Funds (PEF) |
$20,075 |
| Total |
$20,075 |
|
Project note: The above table reflects the available funding for the overcrossing. The total project cost for the intersection improvements and culvert replacements is $22.4 million.
This project received an $18.4 million grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission that will provide funding for construction.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Project Engineer Mark Sawyer
Phone: 425-225-8799
E-mail: sawyerm@wsdot.wa.gov
Communications Kris Olsen
Phone: (206) 440-4704
E-mail: olsenk@wsdot.wa.gov
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