Date:  Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Contact: Randy Giles, I-90 Project Director, (509) 577-1879
Amanda Sullivan, I-90 Project Communications, (509) 899-5708

YAKIMA – WSDOT awarded KLB Construction Inc. (Mukilteo, WA) the first of three construction contracts for the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East – Hyak to Keechelus Dam project (I-90 Project) on Monday, March 30.

“This summer, we will start construction on this project one year ahead of schedule,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “The I-90 Project will support our state’s economy by creating jobs and improving this vital cross-state corridor.”

As part of the $3.3 million contract that will support 33 construction related jobs, WSDOT and KLB Construction will build a long-term detour bridge near the Gold Creek area just east of the Snoqualmie Summit and excavate material from the Keechelus Lake reservoir. This work is in preparation for the larger I-90 Project construction contracts that will:

• Add lanes,
• Replace deteriorating concrete pavement,
• Build bridges,
• Extend chain up / off areas,
• Straighten sharp roadways curves,
• Stabilize rock slopes,
• Replace culverts, and
• Build a new snowshed.

“Awarding the first contract of the I-90 Project is an exciting moment for WSDOT and our project partners,” said Randy Giles, I-90 Project Director. “The milestone represents 10 years of partnerships and planning, studying, and designing for a project that will not only improve the safety and reliability of this cross-state corridor, but will also restore, preserve, and protect the habitat of the Central Cascades.”

WSDOT and KLB Construction will begin construction on the project in June; the work is scheduled for completion in the fall. While drivers shouldn’t experience travel restrictions through the construction area, visual distractions are possible. Drivers may also encounter more trucks entering and leaving the interstate around Keechelus Lake and the Crystal Springs Sno-Park.

“KLB Construction is looking forward to partnering with WSDOT to have another safe and successful project,” said Kelly Lynn Bosa, owner of KLB Construction.

Will Smith, WSDOT Project Engineer notes, “We’re confident in KLB Construction’s expertise and excited to bring them on as a partner to help deliver this contract.”

WSDOT received $545 million from Washington State Legislature to design and construct the Hyak to Keechelus Dam project. The Hyak to Keechelus Dam project is the first five miles of the 15-mile long I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Corridor project. When the I-90 Hyak to Keechelus Dam project is complete in 2015, WSDOT will have increased the capacity of I-90 by 50% in each direction and improved the safety and reliability of this vital transportation corridor. When funding becomes available, WSDOT will design and construct the remaining 10-project miles from Keechelus Dam to Easton.

For more information on the I-90 Project, please visit our project Web page: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I90/SnoqualmiePassEast/

About KLB Construction

KLB Construction is committed to safety, integrity, and fairness in all business relationships and projects. It strives to be an industry leader by using cutting edge technology to build the infrastructure of some of our nations largest and most complicated highway projects.

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