Date:  Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Contact: Denys Tak, WSDOT Project Engineer, (800) 545-1393 (toll-free in Kelso)
Annie Linstrom, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2079 (Vancouver)

KELSO – The Washington State Department of Transportation today announced the advertisement of the I-5, North Kelso to Castle Rock concrete rehabilitation construction contract.

“Preserving our state’s infrastructure helps revitalize the economy and protects this critical transportation link for years to come,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “With our stimulus projects, we’re investing in jobs, we’re keeping goods moving, and we’re preserving the safety and integrity of our highway system for everyone.”

The $15 million project, which includes $9.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, replaces and retrofits approximately 180 damaged concrete panels in both directions of I-5, as well as repaves the northbound lanes of I-5. The northbound lanes are in worse condition than the southbound lanes and in need of additional repair.

Paving and restoring this section of I-5 will preserve the highway system, extend the life of the roadway and provide motorists with a safer, smoother drive. This three-month project will support an estimated 60 jobs in local communities.
On average, this section of I-5 carries approximately 52,000 vehicles per day. Over time, heavy traffic has loosened the 40 year old concrete panels on I-5 by shifting them back and forth, resulting in deterioration.

WSDOT plans to award this project for construction by mid-May. Contractor crews will begin resurfacing work in July and expect to be complete by October.
For more information about the I-5 - North Kelso to Castle Rock - Stage 2 Concrete Rehab project, please visit the project Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/pavementrehab/i5nkelsotocastlerock/.

Washington State is administering the Recovery Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire has created a new website, www.recovery.wa.gov, enabling every Washingtonian to see where their tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Obama has appointed Vice President Biden, a proven and aggressive Inspector General, to oversee all state’s recovery efforts and root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted. 

                                                      ###

WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

< Back to News Home