Date:  Friday, October 17, 2008

Contact: Sean McDermott, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4455
Patrick Moylan, WSDOT Maintenance and Operations Manager, 206-440-4655

SMOKEY POINT – Washington State Department of Transportation crews will close SR 531 over Cougar Creek on Lakewood Road beginning Tuesday to make emergency repairs to a collapsed culvert.

• The north and southbound lanes will close at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21 until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24.
• A detour is posted. Drivers will go south on 11th Avenue NE, turn northwest onto 45 Road and then turn west onto McRae Road.

“This emergency repair allows Cougar Creek to continue flowing freely throughout winter’s heavy rains,” says Maintenance and Operations Supervisor Patrick Moylan. “It ensures the safety of the roadway for drivers and it also restores fish passage on the creek.”

WSDOT crews will temporarily fix the culvert by pushing a 24-inch diameter pipe through the existing culvert. The damaged culvert will be permanently replaced next summer.

The failed culvert was discovered on Sunday, Oct. 5. When the culvert collapsed, a sinkhole formed near the roadway. Debris caused an almost complete blockage of the culvert. The cause of the collapse is unknown.

The emergency repair is estimated to cost $80,000.

For construction updates on this project, go to: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/Snohomish/Construction/

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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 800-833-6388.

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