Date:  Friday, May 15, 2009

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

LONG BEACH – Motorists along US 101 and SR 103 in Pacific County will start seeing construction equipment as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) begins construction on the US 101/SR 103 – Fort Columbia Vic. to Long Beach Vic. – Paving project, funded in part by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Morse Bros., Inc. dba Knife River of Tangent, Ore. is the prime contractor on this $2.5 million project. The project is estimated to support or sustain three jobs in local communities.

During construction, motorists will encounter single lane closures on US 101 and SR 103 for paving operations. Contractor crews will use hot-mix asphalt to pave US 101 between the Astoria-Megler Bridge and Fort Columbia vicinity (mileposts 1.85 to 2.46) and a portion of SR 103 between 15th Street SE and 13th Street NE (milepost 0.80 to 1.99). Crews will chip seal SR 103 between Pioneer Road W and 255th Place (mileposts 2.53 to 10.77).

Beginning in mid-June, a portion of SR 103 will be closed for up to five days to allow crews to pave the highway within the Long Beach city limits. The full closure is necessary to minimize traffic impacts during the busy tourist season. A local signed detour will be available using South Idaho and Washington avenues, one block east of SR 103. Flaggers will be present to allow traffic to cross SR 103 at 10th Street and Bolstad Avenue. All ADA facilities and sidewalks will be accessible during the closure.

Once this project is complete, drivers will experience a safer, smoother driving surface. WSDOT will also enhance drivability with updated safety features such as ADA sidewalks and new curbing, signing, and striping. The project is expected to be complete by late August.

For more information about the US 101/SR 103 – Fort Columbia Vic. to Long Beach Vic. – Paving project, please visit the project Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/PavementRehab/SR103_177StToBaySt/.

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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