Date:  Monday, February 23, 2009

Contact: Les Turnley, WSDOT Maintenance Superintendent, 509.577.1920 (Selah)
Garry Wolf, WSDOT Maintenance Supervisor, 509.577.1920 (Selah)
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Region Communications Manager, 509.728.4712 (Yakima)

For Immediate Release

I-82 through Yakima readies for improved median look

Weeds are out, crushed rock is in

YAKIMA - WSDOT, citizens, and action groups are looking for cost effective ways to improve the appearance of the median along I-82 in the Yakima area. Drivers on I-82 in Yakima will see crews placing crushed rock in the median in the next few weeks.

“We have not been successful growing grasses in the median, due to limited irrigation, unfavorable soils and the Yakima heat. Doing nothing and accepting weeds is not a direction we feel is right for the community. A visitor’s only impression of our community might be the view from their vehicle while driving one of our highways. I hear comments from local leaders, family, and neighbors about the look of the landscape along the highway. They all ask for something different,” said Don Whitehouse, WSDOT Regional Administrator.

WSDOT is installing an arid landscape using crushed rock. Crews will place the rock between the North First Street interchange and Nob Hill overcrossing. Plans to continue with the landscaping improvement between Nob Hill and the Valley Mall interchange are included in the Valley Mall Interchange Improvement project that is currently in design.

WSDOT has scheduled the work at night to minimize the disruption to motorists.

“It is important to highway users we schedule this work to cause the least inconvenience,” said Todd Trepanier, WSDOT Assistant Regional Administrator for Maintenance and Operations.

Placing the rock will include some limited grading, as well as the removing and reinstalling of guide markers. The night work is scheduled to start the week of Feb. 23 and should take less than a month.

Developing and maintaining the roadside is part of WSDOT’s mission. “Fractured drain rock gives us a roadside that can be maintained long term for a low cost," said Les Turnley, WSDOT Area Superintendent. “Eliminating weeds and adding rock to the median offers the community the clean, neat look encouraged by the TRANS-action Corridor Revitalization committee,” said Trent Marquis, Chairman of TRANS-action.

Drivers will need to slow down and pay close attention to the signs, cones and barrels that will direct them into the right lane through the work zone. For more construction and maintenance project information visit: wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthCentral/Construction/.

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