Spring 2013
The project was advertised for private contractor construction bids on Mar. 25, 2013. Bids will be opened Apr. 18 and a contract should be awarded by May with construction starting this summer and be complete in the fall.
A well attended open house was held in Okanogan on Sept. 19, 2012. Input received generated a revised intersection improvement design alternative.
(Read the news release)
An email list,
US 97 Chelan to B.C. Border, is available so those who wish can subscribe and get updates sent directly to them on this project and other activity in this section of US 97.
In this (I-2) Highway Capital Safety Improvement - Collision Prevention Project, WSDOT is addressing two intersections on US 97 in Okanogan. One is the Cameron Lake/Armory Junction Roads intersection and the other is the Oak Street/Airport Road intersection.
Why is WSDOT
planning to improve these intersections?
US 97-Cameron Lake/Armory Jct. Roads Intersection
There have been 11 collisions at the US 97 and Cameron Lake /Armory Junction Roads intersection from 2006 to 2011. A number of them were "T-bone" collisions which produce a higher percentage of severe injuries and fatalities. A 2012 review of traffic moving through the intersection showed that 30 to 35% of all the vehicles turned into or out of Armory Junction Road. The volume combined with the collision history demonstrated that something needs to be done at this location. A number of different solutions were considered for this intersection from signs to signals to turn lanes to roundabouts.
US 97-Oak Street/Airport Road Intersection
At this intersection WSDOT is trying to reduce potential collisions by addressing conflict points for traffic turning off US 97. The preferred alternative plan adds left turn lanes on US 97 for both northbound and southbound traffic. These new lanes will provide a refuge for vehicles stopped on the highway waiting to make a left turn, allowing through traffic to continue without having to stop as motorists do now.
On average, the Cameron Lk. Rd. intersection handles 6,200 vehicles per day; Oak St., 4,100. (WSDOT 2011 Annual Traffic Report)
The End Result
The projects are designed to reduce the number and severity of collisions at these intersections while efficiently moving traffic.
Project Benefits
- Provide advance notice to highway drivers that vehicles are entering from the side roads.
- Reduce the number of conflict points between through and turning traffic.
- Provide a dedicated lane refuge for drivers turning from US 97.
- Reduce delays and increase mobility for drivers on US 97 because they don't have to stop and wait for traffic making left turns from US 97.
What is the project timeline?
The project is scheduled to be advertised for private contractor construction bids on Mar. 25, 2013. Bids will be opened and one should be awarded by May and construction should start next summer and be complete in the fall.
Financial Information
Project signage will reflect the cost of construction engineering, project bid award and sales tax.
| Financial Data for PIN 209700W |
| Funding Source |
Amount ($ in thousands) |
| 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) |
$0 |
| 2005 Gas Tax (TPA) |
$0 |
| Pre-Existing Funds (PEF) |
$1,465 |
| Total |
$1,465 |
|
All the funding, including the initial funding approved by the legislature (shown above), is from a federal initiative called the "Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program" to make improvements on international border crossing routes.
Total funding: $1,991,560.00
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Kevin Waligorski, Project Engineer
WSDOT North Central Region
2830 Euclid Avenue Building A
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 667-2860
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