Date:  Thursday, May 14, 2009

Contact: Chris Tams, WSDOT Project Engineer, 360-905-1310 (Vancouver)
Kevin Jeffers, WSDOT Rail Engineer, 360-705-7982 (Olympia)
Abbi Russell, WSDOT Communications, 360-905-2058 (Vancouver)

VANCOUVER – The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) began construction this week on a new West 39th St. bridge that will improve safety at a congested railroad crossing and enhance connectivity between neighborhoods in the area.

The project was awarded in April to Vancouver-based Cascade Bridge, LLC, with a winning bid of $11.65 million. The project is expected to support approximately 85 jobs.

“This is an exciting project for WSDOT to begin constructing,” said WSDOT Southwest Deputy Regional Administrator Bart Gernhart. “All types of traffic – train, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian – will benefit from the enhanced safety and mobility this project will bring.”

The bridge is expected to open to traffic in summer 2011, and the entire project is scheduled for completion in spring 2012.

The Vancouver Rail Bypass and West 39th Street Bridge project increases safety and mobility for rail and local traffic by building new bypass tracks in the Vancouver rail yard and a new bridge, suitable for pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles, over nine sets of railroad tracks.

Construction has been under way in the rail yard since September 2008, when Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad began constructing bypass tracks. This week, WSDOT began construction on the new West 39th Street bridge.

West 39th Street has been closed since September 2008, so drivers should not notice significant traffic impacts during the early stages of construction. Access to all businesses in the project area will be maintained throughout construction.

Later this year, City of Vancouver Transportation Services plans local improvements along 39th Street, funded through more than $600,000 in transportation grants. Planned enhancements include multiple pedestrian and traffic safety improvements between Lincoln Avenue and P Street. For more information about these improvements, please contact the city of Vancouver at (360) 487-7700.

For more information about the Vancouver – Rail Bypass and West 39th Street Bridge project, visit the project Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/rail/PNWRC_Vancouver.

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WSDOT's mission is to keep 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 511.

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