Date:  Thursday, June 11, 2009

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

Weekday closures, detour will help minimize traffic impacts

LONG BEACH – WSDOT contractor crews will close SR 103 between 15th Street SE and 13th Street NE (mile posts 0.80 to 1.99) in Long Beach for paving starting Monday, June 15 through Friday, June 19. A local detour will be available and crews will open SR 103 by noon Friday to avoid impacting weekend traffic.

During the closure, which begins at midnight on Monday morning, contractor crews will grind out over a mile of old asphalt and replace it with new. Crews will also repair existing pavement in the closure area, replace signal loops and restripe SR 103.

The full closure is necessary to allow crews to pave the highway within the Long Beach city limits. WSDOT worked closely with the City of Long Beach and local merchants to plan closures for paving. Rather than impact traffic multiple times over several weeks, a single, weekday closure period helps minimize long-term traffic impacts. Paving earlier in the summer also avoids disrupting traffic during the busier tourist months of August and September.

A signed detour will be available using Idaho S. and Washington avenues, one block east of SR 103 during the closure. Flaggers will be present to allow traffic to cross SR 103 at 10th Street and Bolstad Avenue.

Drivers can expect an increase in pedestrian traffic on SR 103 and surrounding streets during the closure as construction will limit parking spaces on SR 103. Temporary ADA facilities will be provided throughout construction.

This work is part of the $2.5 million US 101/SR 103 – Fort Columbia Vic. to Long Beach Vic. paving project, which began construction May 15. WSDOT added $690,000 in stimulus funds to an existing $1.8 million paving and chip seal project. It is expected to support direct and indirect jobs in the local economy.

Once paving is complete, drivers will experience a safer, smoother ride and improved pedestrian facilities in Long Beach. 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, or to view the detour map, 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 http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/newsfor pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/trafficor by dialing 5-1-1.

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