Date:  Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Contact: Dave Chesson, WSDOT Communications, 360-757-5970
              Marco Foster, Engineering Manager, 360-757-5991 (Burlington)

BURLINGTON – Another new lane is open to drivers on SR 20 west of Burlington. WSDOT opened the wider, safer two-mile stretch of roadway to eastbound drivers Tuesday afternoon, July 15.

State Route 20 is now four lanes wide with a divided median from Memorial Highway to Higgins Airport Way.

“This is a huge milestone,” Engineering Manager Marco Foster said. “The extra lanes and divided median should help relieve congestion and improve safety for everyone. Not to mention, we’re that much closer to getting the highway widened to four lanes all the way to I-5.”

With the new lane open, crews are starting to wrap up stage one of the five-mile highway widening project that will stretch all the way to I-5. Stage two has already started and will be complete in fall 2009.

During stage one construction, crews:

• Widened the highway to four lanes from Memorial Highway to Higgins Airport Way,
• Divided east and westbound lanes with a 32-foot grass median and cable median barrier to help prevent dangerous crossover collisions,
• Built four bridges,
• Installed a new traffic signal at the congested Higgins Airport Way intersection.

Funding for the $118 million project comes from the 2003 nickel funding package passed by the Legislature. For more information, visit the project Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR20/sr536fredonia.

Drivers are encouraged to sign up for SR 20 e-mail updates at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/EmailUpdates. It is the quickest way to get updates on construction traffic that may affect travel plans.

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Drivers can now get real time traffic and weather information by dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. This new traveler information system builds upon the highly successful Washington State Highway hotline that managed 4.6 million calls each year. Callers can also use 5-1-1 to get statewide construction, mountain pass condition, and state ferry system information, as well as toll free numbers for passenger rail and airlines. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388

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