Date:  Monday, June 08, 2009

Contact: Allen Hendy, Vancouver Assistant Area Engineer, (360) 905-1522 (Vancouver)
Abbi Russell, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2058 (Vancouver)

VANCOUVER – A WSDOT project to improve safety and reduce congestion for drivers in east Clark County reaches a milestone this week as girders are set on the new 112th Connector bridge near I-205.

The I-205, Mill Plain Exit – 112th Connector project builds a new bridge to provide motorists exiting northbound I-205 with direct access to NE 112th Avenue without having to navigate through traffic at Mill Plain Boulevard. The project, developed in partnership with the City of Vancouver, has been under construction since summer 2008 and is part of planned strategic improvements to the I-205 freeway ramp network.

Crews begin setting pre-cast concrete girders on the new 112th Connector bridge at 12:30 p.m. today. The girders are 110 feet long and each weighs approximately 90,000 pounds. Once girders are set in place, WSDOT’s contractor, Selby Bridge Company Inc., will pour the remaining concrete for the bridge deck.

The new bridge is expected to be open to traffic this fall and the entire project is scheduled for completion in winter 2009.

Completion of girder installation moves the project towards its next major step: final paving on northbound I-205 and the new Mill Plain on- and off-ramps. Three weekends of closures will allow WSDOT’s contractor to perform paving work with fewer impacts to traffic.

During the weekends of June 19, June 26 and July 10, drivers will encounter right lane closures on I-205 northbound and ramp closures on I-205 and Mill Plain. WSDOT will inform the public of these impacts as final paving work draws closer.

For more information about the I-205 – Mill Plain Exit – NE 112th Connector project, please visit the project page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/I205/millplainne112.

                                                        ###

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