Date:  Friday, May 15, 2009

Contact: Leon Winger, WSDOT Project Engineer, (800) 725-9669 (Vancouver) toll-free
Annie Linstrom, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2079 (Vancouver)

WSDOT advertises SR 4 safety and preservation contract

SKAMOKAWA – The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) this week announced the advertisement of the SR 4 – Skamokawa to Coal Creek Road – Paving and Guardrail Upgrade construction contract.

The $12.4 million project, which combines state funding with $200,000 in 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds provided by Wahkiakum County, is expected to support an estimated 110 direct and indirect jobs.

“This is an example of how by combining our resources together, our dollars go further towards improving safety on more miles of highway around our state,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “The positive impact of this project will be seen not only in the jobs it supports, but also in the long-term improvement of our highway system and local communities.”

The project enhances motorist safety along nearly 28 miles of SR 4 between the town of Skamokawa in Wahkiakum County and Coal Creek Road in Cowlitz County. Crews will upgrade guardrail and cable barrier and retrofit bridges with improved railings. In addition, the new paving preserves the life of the roadway and provides motorists with a safer, smoother ride.

WSDOT is partnering with Wahkiakum County to pave West Little Island and Beaver Creek roads in the project vicinity. Paving these two roads will repair ruts and cracks in the pavement, preserve the roadway and improve safety for drivers.

On average, this two-lane section of SR 4 carries approximately 3,000 vehicles per day. The safety improvements will help reduce the severity of run-off the road collisions on this rural highway, improve roadside safety and condition of the roadway.

WSDOT plans to award this project for construction in early June. Contractor crews will begin resurfacing work in July and expect to be complete by October.

For more information about the SR 4 – Skamokawa to Coal Creek Road – Paving and Guardrail Upgrade project, please visit the project Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR4/SkamokawaCoalCreek/.

Washington State is administering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire created a Web site, www.recovery.wa.gov, so every Washingtonian can see where tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Obama has appointed Vice President Biden to oversee all states’ recovery efforts and to root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are put to good use and recharge the economy. 

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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.

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