Crews began setting the girders for the rebuilt SR 11 Chuckanut Drive overpass back in February. On March 30, they reopened the bridge to traffic. |
We reopened on schedule the rebuilt SR 11, Chuckanut Drive bridge over Interstate 5 (interchange 231) on Monday, March 30 in Burlington. The overpass was severely damaged in July 2008 when it was hit by a truck towing an excavator on northbound I-5. We closed it on Jan. 26, 2009 to rebuild it. Crews quickly demolished and rebuilt the damaged portion of the overpass in just over two month’s time.
We rebuilt the eastern portion of the overpass with stronger, wider concrete girders, increasing the height clearance over northbound I-5 by 6 inches – the clearance is now 15 feet 9 inches. The street-legal height for vehicles is 14 feet. Anything taller than that requires a permit.
The responsible party’s insurance company paid for the damage and repairs, alleviating taxpayers of the $1 million financial burden.
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Washington Jobs Now - I-90, Yakima River to West Ellensburg
This section of I-90 will be paved as part of Washington's Jobs Now program, putting more than 20 people to work. |
One of the state's first American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects may begin putting people to work on I-90 as soon as the end of April. WSDOT opened contractor's bids for the $1.7 million paving project on April 1. The I-90, Yakima River to West Ellensburg Paving project will support more than 20 construction-related jobs.
Crews will repair and repave with asphalt a four-mile stretch of I-90, between the Yakima River and Ellensburg. This section of freeway is deteriorating due to age and harsh weather conditions. When the work is completed in August, drivers will notice a smoother surface, along with new guardrail, pavement stripes and signs.
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Maintenance & Operations feature - WSDOT sees drop in wire thefts
Signal crews have come up with ways to deter wire theft from state property, such as this junction box along I-5 in Pierce County. |
Whether it’s the theft deterrents WSDOT crews are using or the drop in copper value, wire thefts are decreasing dramatically. Although another theft was reported in February, compared to what WSDOT's Olympic Region crews saw last year at this time - seven thefts during the first week of February 2008 - there is a definite decline.
Drivers traveling on I-5 may notice bucket trucks with signal crew members changing bulbs that have burnt out. A seemingly routine task, but a welcome sight for Don Anders, Olympic Region’s Signal’s Superintendent. Last year at this time, Don’s crews were going from junction box to junction box, replacing stolen wire and making repairs to damaged equipment left behind by thieves. This left crews frustrated and with little time to do anything else.
The wire used to light our highway system contains copper, a valuable metal which paid well at recycling yards. Thieves were working alongside the roadway, ripping wire that powers the lighting system along major routes such as I-5 and SR 16 in Pierce County. They left wire hanging and exposed from open junction boxes, putting the thieves at risk for electrocution and making it dangerous for repair crews.
Olympic Region's Signal staff came up with ways to try to keep the thieves away. They started using screws and bits with a unique pattern exclusive to the signal shop. Crews also began spraying replaced wire with a UV-based adhesive called DataDots, a state of the art identification system. Datadots are tiny micro-dots, each the size of a grain of sand, onto which unique information, in this case, “Property of WSDOT,” is laser etched. These unique dots come pre-mixed in an adhesive that can be applied to equipment using a spray can. Using a black light, law enforcement can see the laser etching and identify the owner.
WSDOT continues to work closely with the Washington State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies to combat this crime. If you see a wire theft in process dial 9-1-1. If you have information regarding wire theft, please call 1-866-976-WIRE or use the online form to report any information helpful in arresting those responsible for these thefts.
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Update of projects under way
SR 8 McCleary - WSDOT completed a slope stabilization project March 27 on eastbound State Route 8 at Winslow Road. Crews have reopened the right lane through the project work zone and restored the 60 mph speed limit. A new 3,000-square-foot soldier pile wall stabilizes the slope and reduces the risk of future slides and makes the road safer for drivers. The slope beneath the roadway was damaged during the December 2007 storm event. Contractor Scarsella Bros., Inc. began construction on the $1.2 million project in October 2008.
SR 519 Seattle - Crews began work on March 30 to build a bridge over the railroad tracks on S. Royal Brougham Way, and a new westbound off-ramp from I-90 and I-5 to the existing S. Atlantic Street overpass. This week's work focused on moving underground utilities that are in the way of the piers that will support the new structures. By mid-April crews will begin drilling pier shafts as deep as 92 feet for the S. Royal Brougham Way bridge. When completed, these SR 519 improvements will make the corridor safer for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, and enhance traffic flow for freight traveling to the Port of Seattle, ferry commuters traveling to Colman Dock, and sports fans heading to the stadiums. The $90.8 million SR 519 Intermodal Access Project is funded primarily through the 2003 gas tax and will support an estimated 910 jobs.
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Announcements
Reduced capacity on San Juan inter-island sailings will continue
The 144-auto ferry Elwha will remain out of service while crews investigate and repair the vessel’s drive motor. Reduced capacity on San Juan Islands inter-island sailings will continue due to these necessary vessel repairs. Engineers are working to identify the problem and establish a realistic repair schedule. An extensive investigation of the motor and control system will be necessary.
The 34-auto Hiyu, the ferry system’s only back-up vessel, is providing inter-island service. Various vessel moves have been made to ensure that adequate service is provided for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route.
WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF) engineers made a decision late Tuesday evening, March 24, to remove the Elwha from service, after monitoring a worsening condition in one of its main propulsion electric drive motors. The Elwha was taken to WSF’s Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility on Bainbridge Island.
SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge pontoon UVWX arrives in Port Gamble Bay
The last of four new bridge sections for the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge Project arrived March 31 in Port Gamble Bay. New roadway pontoon UVWX departed from Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle about 9 a.m. March 30 and was towed into the bay by three Foss Tugboats about 7 a.m. March 31.
Pontoon UVWX joins the east and west trusses and pontoon RST, and will be moored in the bay in preparation for May 1, when six weeks of bridge-replacement work begins. Pontoon UVWX, which is 925 feet long, will comprise the new bridge’s easternmost floating section, and connect the bridge to the east truss and a land-based approach span in Kitsap County. The pontoon section will be the first of three pontoon assemblies that will be installed during the six-week Hood Canal Bridge closure.
The May-June closure will be challenging for travelers, but the Olympic Peninsula will be open for business. WSDOT encourages people to get ready now by reviewing their transportation choices. “Get around” options include crossing the canal on a water shuttle; the free transit-connecting-bus services and the park and ride lots; taking the Port Townsend/Edmonds evening ferry or the Port Townsend/Keystone ferry; flying from Port Angeles to Seattle; driving around on alternate routes; or utilizing private boat services.
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