Date:
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Contact:
Dave Lindberg, WSDOT Project Engineer, (425) 814-7104 (Redmond)
Meghan Soptich, WSDOT Communications, (206) 440-4704 (Seattle)
MONROE – As early as May, drivers could see crews working on US 2 on a project that will help reduce serious collisions on the highway between Monroe and Stevens Pass. Yesterday, WSDOT awarded a $2.3 million contract to Wilder Construction of Everett to install rumble strips and high-visibility striping on this stretch of US 2.
Beginning this spring, crews will grind in over 40 miles of centerline and shoulder rumble strips on US 2 from just east of Monroe to just west of Stevens Pass summit to help reduce crossover and run-off-the-road collisions. Rumble strips alert drivers that they are leaving their lane by creating a loud noise and vibrations when the wheels of the car touch the rumble strips.
“Centerline rumble strips help reduce the serious crossover collisions we see too often on US 2,” said Regional Administrator Lorena Eng. “We have seen great results from similar projects around the state and we’re eager to move forward with this project.”
Crews will install a two-foot-wide rumble strip median in the centerline of US 2 between Monroe and Gold Bar, where the wider shoulder allows for a wider rumble strip. Between Gold Bar and just west of Stevens Pass, crews will install a one-foot-wide strip.
In addition to the rumble strips, crews will also install high-visibility striping to make the centerline more visible to drivers at night and in bad weather. Much of the striping will be recessed in the pavement so it won’t be damaged by snow-clearing equipment during the winter. Crews will also upgrade signs along the highway.
Crews installed centerline rumble strips on US 2 from SR 204 to Monroe in 2004 and since then, crossover collisions have decreased by about 40 percent. Across the state, centerline rumble strip projects have typically resulted in a 30 percent or more reduction in crossover collisions.
WSDOT received federal funding and $1.5 million from Snohomish County to install the rumble strips and striping. Crews expect to complete the project by summer 2009. For more information, visit the project Web site: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US2/CorridorRumbleStrips.
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