For the week of: November 21-27, 2009
The following Washington State Department of Transportation construction and maintenance projects are expected to have some travel impacts within Southwest Washington. Motorists are encouraged to use caution when traveling in these areas and remember to "
give ‘em a brake" in construction zones.
Counties: Clark |
Cowlitz |
Klickitat |
Lewis |
Pacific |
Skamania |
Wahkiakum | *
Yakima
Please Note: Daytime traffic impacts typically take place between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., and nighttime impacts between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Times may vary based on weather and other (construction-related) variables. Most activities are subject to good weather conditions. If it rains, work may be cancelled or rescheduled. All work will conclude by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25 to reduce travel delays for the upcoming holiday weekend.
State Route 410 is OPEN with detour between milepost 104 to milepost 108. The emergency detour route has been opened to all drivers, and is a rough, gravel-surfaced road. Crews continue work on portions of the detour and drivers on this emergency route could experience long delays due to construction activities. WSDOT could close the roadway for the safety of drivers at anytime. Information updates are available at 509-577-1635 or 5-1-1.
Information for bordering states can be found at the Bordering Travel Information page.
For more information, contact SW Region Communications toll-free at 1-866-973-6879. Para más información en español, Ud se puede llamar a 1-866-973-6879 y marque 2.
CONSTRUCTION:
I-5 – SR 501 Ridgefield Interchange (milepost 13.39-14.6)
Traffic Impacts:
- Nov. 23-25, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: Daytime intermittent flagging on SR 501 at the I-5 on-and off-ramps for trucks to entering and exiting the work zone. Work will conclude by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
- Nov. 23-24, 6 p.m.-5 a.m.: Nighttime left lane closures both directions on I-5 for pre-construction activities.
Project Description:
Through the first stage of this project, crews will replace the current interchange at I-5 and SR 501 in Ridgefield with a new interchange, widen SR 501 through the interchange to two lanes in each direction, add turn lanes at the interchange, and add sidewalks for pedestrian and bicycle travel. When funded, stage 2 of this project will add sidewalks near adjacent roadways for pedestrian and bicycle travel and make improvements to the SR 501/56th Place and Pioneer Street/65th Avenue intersections. For more information, contact Chris Tams in the Columbia Gorge Area Engineering Office at (866) 279-0730, or visit the project Web page.
I-205, Mill Plain – NE 112th Connector (milepost 28)
Traffic Impacts:
- Nov. 23-25, 6 a.m.-5 p.m.: Daytime short-duration lane and shoulder closures on I-205, ramps, and adjacent city roads for pavement striping activities. Work is weather dependent. Work will conclude by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
- Nov. 23-25, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.: Daytime flagging on northbound I-205 on- and off-ramps at Mill Plain Boulevard for trucks entering and exiting the work zone. Work will conclude by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
- Nov. 23-24: Daytime full closure of the new 112th Connector ramp for final construction activities. The connector will be open to traffic from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, and fully open to traffic from 12 p.m. Wednesday through 7 p.m. Friday.
Project Description:
Through this project, crews will build a direct connection to NE 112th Avenue from the off-ramp of northbound I-205 to westbound Mill Plain Boulevard. When completed, the new ramp will reduce delays around the intersection of Mill Plain Boulevard and Chkalov Drive and at the northbound I-205 off ramp to Mill Plain Boulevard by 50 percent during peak travel times in 2020. This project will also help reduce rear-end-collisions on the Mill Plain Boulevard off ramp, which has been identified as a High Accident Location. This project began construction in June 2008 and is expected to be complete by the end of this year. For more information, contact Allen Hendy in the Vancouver Area Engineering Office at (800) 725-9669, or visit the project Web page.
SR 14, Pedestrian Tunnel – City of Washougal
Traffic Impacts:
- A temporary speed reduction is in place on SR 14 from 55 mph to 25 mph to allow the City’s contractor to construct a pedestrian tunnel underneath the highway. This speed reduction will remain in effect throughout the duration of the project. Drivers are urged to use caution when traveling this stretch of roadway.
Project Description:
The project will construct a pedestrian tunnel underneath SR 14 to create a pedestrian/bicycle connection between the newly reconstructed downtown Washougal city core and the Columbia River waterfront. This project began construction on July 6 and is expected to be complete by the end of this year. For more information, please contact Trevor Evers at (360) 835-8501 or e-mail tevers@ci.washougal.wa.us or visit the project Web page.
SR 503, NE 119th Avenue at the Bowyer Market Place (mileposts 2.66-3.01)
Traffic Impacts:
- Nov. 23-25, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Daytime lane shifts on northbound SR 503 for construction activities.
- Nov. 23-25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Daytime lane shifts on southbound SR 503 for construction activities.
- Nov. 23-25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Daytime right lane closure on southbound SR 503 at NE 119th Avenue.
Project Description:
A private development is being constructed at the intersection of SR 503 and NE 119th Avenue. Through this project, crews will install a turn lane on southbound SR 503 to NE 119th Avenue, new curbing, pavement markings and complete signal replacement operations at this location. ADA facilities will also be updated during this work. Most of this work will occur on the west side of NE 119th Avenue. WSDOT reduced the speed limit on SR 503 by extending the 40 mph posted speed limit an additional 500 feet north of NE 119th Avenue (milepost 2.81) to accommodate the expansion of the commercial district along the highway. Work began on June 29 and is expected to be complete in winter 2010. For more information, contact Linda Smalls in the Clark County Public Works Department at (360) 397-6118.
Vancouver Rail – Rail Bypass and W. 39th Street Bridge
Traffic Impacts:
- Nov. 23-25, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Daytime flagging at the intersection of W. 39th Street and Fruit Valley Road as crews perform utility installation and embankment work.
- Note: The rail crossing at W. 39th Street is closed to all traffic for rail bypass construction.
Project Description:
This project will construct a rail bypass line and vehicular/bicycle/pedestrian overcrossing on W. 39th Street at the Vancouver rail yard. It is a partnership project between WSDOT, the City of Vancouver and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad. BNSF will construct the rail bypass portion of the project, which began construction in September 2008. WSDOT began construction of the overcrossing bridge in mid-May 2009. The entire project is scheduled for completion in summer 2011. For more information, contact Chris Tams in the Columbia Gorge Area Engineering Office at (866) 279-0730, or Kevin Jeffers, WSDOT State Rail and Marine Office at (360) 705-7982, or visit the project Web page.
MAINTENANCE:
I-5, Both directions at the SR 500 Interchange (mileposts 1.98-2.25)
Nov. 23-25: Daytime intermittent shoulder closures for geotechnical work.
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CONSTRUCTION:
I-5, High Tension Cable Median Guardrail Installation (mileposts 37.40-40.70) - Project Complete
Through this project, WSDOT installed recycled high tension cable guardrail from an existing construction project further north on I-5. Contractor crews working on the I-5, Grand Mound to Maytown project installed signs on I-5 in Cowlitz County, and installed approximately 18,350 linear feet of cable guardrail. Crews will installed the recycled guardrail in the median on I-5 between the SR 432 junction (milepost 37.40) and the SR 4 junction (milepost 40.70). This project was completed in November, 2009. For more information, contact Denys Tak in the Kelso Area Engineering Office toll-free at (800) 545-1393.
I-5, North Kelso to Castle Rock – Concrete Rehabilitation - Substantially Complete
WSDOT’s contractor has repaired and retrofitted approximately 180 damaged concrete panels on nearly 14 miles of I-5. In addition, the contractor has repaved the interstate’s northbound lanes of travel. Through the course of this project, crews ground out existing pavement, remove damaged concrete panels, overlaid the pavement surface with new asphalt, and improved guardrail along this section of I-5. Replacing damaged concrete panels and resurfacing the interstate extends the life of the roadway and provides motorists with a safer, smoother drive. In addition, this project strengthens I-5, allowing the interstate to continue handling heavy commuter and freight traffic for years to come. Construction began June 24, 2009, and was substantially completed this week. For more information, contact Denys Tak in the Kelso Area Engineering Office toll-free at (800) 545-1393, or visit the Project Web Page.
SR 4, Skamokawa to Coal Creek Road – Paving and Guardrail Upgrade (mileposts 27.47-55.01)
Traffic Impacts:
- Nov. 23-24, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Daytime traffic reduced to a single lane, alternating directions with flaggers and pilot cars between County Line Park and the Coal Creek Slough Bridge vicinity (mileposts 44-52) for guardrail installation work.
Project Description:
Throughout this project, guardrail improvements and paving will take place along State Route 4, between Skamokawa in Wahkiakum County (milepost 27.47) and Coal Creek Road in Cowlitz County (milepost 55.01). Additionally, West Little Island Road and Beaver Creek Road in Wahkiakum County will be paved by agreement with Wahkiakum County. Paving this section of SR 4 will repair ruts and cracks in the existing pavement and extend the life of the roadway, in addition to providing a smoother and safer ride for motorists. The roadway will remain open during construction with daytime single-lane traffic, alternating directions and flagging on SR 4. Construction began June 29 and crews anticipate construction to be complete in fall 2009. For more information, contact Leon Winger in the Vancouver Area Engineering Office at (800) 725-9669, or visit the project Web page.
SR 4, Ocean Beach Highway Signal Upgrade - Olympia Way Right Turn Lane (milepost 59.7) – City of Longview
Traffic Impacts:
- Nov. 23-27: No traffic impacts scheduled.
Project Description:
The City of Longview has contracted with Northeast Electric to construct a right-turn lane from SR 4 and install a 120-foot long signal bridge at the intersection of Olympia Way and State Route 4 - Ocean Beach Highway (milepost 59.7). Construction began in September 2009. The project is scheduled for completion in late October 2009. For more information, contact Tom Gorman with the City of Longview at (360) 442-5205.
SR 411, Whittle Creek Bridge Replacement and Widening (milepost 12) – Cowlitz County - Complete
Through this project, contractor crews widened the roadway and replaced the Whittle Creek Bridge across SR 411. This project began construction July 27 and was complete in November 2009. For more information, contact Gary Gonser in the Cowlitz County Public Works Department at (360) 577-3030.
SR 433, Lewis and Clark Bridge Painter (milepost 0)
Traffic Impacts:
- Nov. 23-27: Crews are working underneath the bridge structure with no anticipated impacts to traffic.
Project Description:
Through this project, contractor crews will clean and paint the steel members of the substructure of the SR 433 Lewis and Clark Bridge to help preserve and prolong the life of the bridge. The bridge will be painted in three phases; phases 1 and 2 will paint the steel underneath the roadway, and phase 3 will paint all of the steel above the roadway. The first phase of the project, completed in February 2008, cleaned and painted piers in the Columbia River. The second phase of construction began in April 2009 and cleans and paints the remaining piers in the Columbia River, as well as some of the bridge towers on the Washington side. Phase two of this project is expected to be complete spring 2010. For more information, contact Denys Tak in the Kelso Area Engineering Office toll-free at (800) 545-1393, or visit the project Web page.
SR 504, Hall Road Intersection Reconstruction (milepost 9) – Cowlitz County
Traffic Impacts:
- Nov. 23-25: Daytime traffic reduced to a single lane, alternating directions on SR 504 for paving activities. Work is weather dependent.
- Nov. 23-25: A temporary speed reduction of 25 mph is in place on both directions of SR 504 for the safety of drivers as they will be traveling on a portion of gravel road while crews grind out and replace pavement.
Project Description:
Through this project, contractor crews will make safety improvements to Hall Road and provide a deceleration lane to turn onto Hall Road from SR 504. This project began construction July 27 and will be complete by winter 2009. For more information, contact Gary Gonser in the Cowlitz County Public Works Department at (360) 577-3030.
MAINTENANCE:
SR 503, Both directions between Frasier Road and Ham Road (mileposts 28.43-29.26)
Nov. 23-25: Daytime traffic reduced to a single lane, alternating directions with flaggers for installation of buried power lines.
SR 503, Both directions between Reese Road and Cougar vicinity (mileposts 33.2-36.07)
Nov. 23-25: Daytime traffic reduced to a single lane, alternating directions with flaggers for overhead power installation.
SR 504, Both directions between at Hall Road (mileposts 9-9.17)
Nov. 23-25: Daytime traffic reduced to a single lane, alternating directions with flaggers for road construction.
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CONSTRUCTION:
No traffic impacts scheduled.
MAINTENANCE:
SR 142, Both directions between Fisher Hill Road vicinity and Knight Creek vicinity (mileposts 2.01-3.04)
Nov. 23-25: Daytime traffic reduced to a single lane, alternating directions with flaggers for installation of buried power lines.
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CONSTRUCTION:
I-5, Koontz Road to Harrison Avenue (mileposts 69.44-82.73) – Paving
Traffic Impacts:
- Nov. 23-27: No traffic impacts scheduled. Remaining work on this project is highly weather dependent and will be suspended through the winter season. Work will resume in spring 2010.
Project Description:
The asphalt pavement on this section of I-5 is deteriorating due to age and normal wear. Through this project, WSDOT’s contractor Lakeside Industries, Inc. will pave and resurface the interstate to repair ruts and cracks in the existing pavement and extend the life of the roadway. This project will provide a smoother and safer ride for motorists. The project will also strengthen and preserve the road surface, allowing I-5 to continue handling heavy commuter and freight traffic. Crews began resurfacing work on June 22 and expect the project to complete by fall 2009. For more information, contact Colin Newell in the Chehalis Area Engineering Office at (866) 713-2412 or visit the Project Web page.
I-5, Rush Road to 13th Street (mileposts 72.39-76.15) – Widening and Interchange - Complete
Traffic Impacts:
- Nov. 23-27: No traffic impacts scheduled.
Project Description:
Through this project, a new interchange was constructed at LaBree Road (exit 74) and four miles of I-5 was widened between Rush Road and 13th Street. The highway was widened from two lanes to three lanes in each direction. This project began construction in July 2007 and was functionally completed on June 2, when the new LaBree Road interchange was opened to traffic. For more information, contact Colin Newell in the Chehalis Area Engineering Office at (866) 713-2412 or visit the Project Web page.
SR 6, South Fork Chehalis River Bridge Replacement (milepost 42.62) - Open to traffic
Traffic Impacts:
- Nov. 23-27: No traffic impacts scheduled.
Project Description:
Through this project, crews constructed a new, wider bridge over the south fork of the Chehalis River, approximately 15 miles west of Chehalis. The bridge is 40 feet in width, 14 feet wider than the current structure, eliminating motorists’ urge to stop at the bridge and thereby improving safety along this stretch of SR 6. WSDOT hosted a ribbon cutting celebration on Sept. 8, 2009 to open the new bridge to single-lane traffic. Crews are wrapping up work and the project is scheduled for completion in the fall 2009. For more information, contact Colin Newell in the Chehalis Area Engineering Office at (866) 713-2412 or visit the Project Web page.
SR 508, Both directions at the South Fork Newaukum River Bridge (milepost 13.65) – Weight Restrictions
Traffic Impacts:
• Single vehicles are restricted to 18 tons.
• Tractor-semi trailers are restricted to 29 tons.
• Truck-trailers are restricted to 36 tons.
A damaged support beam requires weight restrictions on this bridge to maintain the serviceability of the bridge. Single vehicles are restricted to 18 tons, tractor-semi trailers are restricted to 29 tons and truck-trailers are restricted 36 tons. Advanced warning signs will be posted near Gish Road (milepost 4.7) on the west side of the bridge and near Justus Road (milepost 18.43) and August Road (milepost 15.47) on the east side of the bridge. This will provide overweight truck traffic the opportunity to change course before they reach the bridge.
US 12, West of White Pass (milepost 149.7) –Slope Repair
Traffic Impacts:
- Nov. 23-25: Daytime shoulder closures on US 12 for final construction activities.
Project Description:
Through this project, Chehalis contractor crews will install a platform drainage system and stabilize the slope below US 12. The slope was undermined due to a large amount of runoff, and the drainage system repairs will redirect water to reduce the effects of slope erosion and protect the roadway from future damage. Construction is scheduled for completion in late October. For more information, contact Colin Newell in the Chehalis Area Engineering Office at (866) 713-2412.
MAINTENANCE:
US 12, Both directions between Cedar Line Road and Stiltner Creek (mileposts 106.98-109)
Nov. 23-25: Daytime shoulder closures for installation of buried power lines.
SR 6, Both directions between Chilvers Road and NW Louisiana Avenue (mileposts 49.21-51.22)
Nov. 23-25: Daytime traffic reduced to a single lane, alternating directions with flaggers for overhead power installation.
SR 506, Both directions in the Lacamas Creek vicinity (mileposts 9.52-10.01)
Nov. 23-25: Daytime traffic reduced to a single lane, alternating directions with flaggers for overhead cable installation.
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CONSTRUCTION:
No traffic impacts scheduled.
MAINTENANCE:
No traffic impacts scheduled.
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CONSTRUCTION:
No traffic impacts scheduled.
MAINTENANCE:
SR 14, Both directions between Prindle Road and Smith-Cripe Road (mileposts 27.8-29.3)
Nov. 23-25: Daytime traffic reduced to a single lane, alternating directions with flaggers for overhead power installation.
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CONSTRUCTION:
SR 4, Skamokawa to Coal Creek Road – Paving and Guardrail Upgrade (mileposts 27.47-55.01)
Traffic Impacts:
- Nov. 23-24, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Daytime traffic reduced to a single lane, alternating directions with flaggers and pilot cars between County Line Park and the Coal Creek Slough Bridge vicinity (mileposts 44-52) for guardrail installation work.
Project Description:
Throughout this project, guardrail improvements and paving will take place along State Route 4, between Skamokawa in Wahkiakum County (milepost 27.47) and Coal Creek Road in Cowlitz County (milepost 55.01). Additionally, West Little Island Road and Beaver Creek Road in Wahkiakum County will be paved by agreement with Wahkiakum County. Paving this section of SR 4 will repair ruts and cracks in the existing pavement and extend the life of the roadway, in addition to providing a smoother and safer ride for motorists. The roadway will remain open during construction with daytime single-lane traffic, alternating directions and flagging on SR 4. Construction began June 29 and crews anticipate construction to be complete in fall 2009. For more information, contact Leon Winger in the Vancouver Area Engineering Office at (800) 725-9669, or visit the project Web page.
MAINTENANCE:
SR 409, Both directions between State Road and Garden Slough Bridge (.54-1.51)
Nov. 23-25: Daytime traffic reduced to single lane, alternating directions with flaggers for utility installation.
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* A small portion of Yakima County along US 12 to Rimrock. For information about state transportation projects in the rest of Yakima County, please visit WSDOT's
South Central Region's Web
Tips for Driving Through Work Zones
Pay attention - driver inattention is the number one cause of work zone accidents.
Leave room between you and the car ahead of you - most work zone accidents involve someone running into the car ahead of them. Drive defensively - be aware of what is happening around you.
Merge into the proper lane before you reach the work zone.
Don’t use cell phones or adjust your radio while driving through the work zone.
Avoid work zones by using alternate routes.
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