Date:  Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Contact: Denys Tak, WSDOT Project Engineer, (800) 545-1393 toll-free (Kelso)
Abbi Russell, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2058 (Vancouver)

KELSO – Drivers traveling on I-5 in Cowlitz County will see more orange construction barrels this week as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) begins work on another stimulus-funded project to improve I-5 in southwest Washington.

The $15 million I-5, North Kelso to Castle Rock - Concrete Rehabilitation project repairs and retrofits approximately 180 damaged concrete panels on nearly 14 miles of I-5 and repaves the interstate’s northbound lanes of travel. The project received $9.5 million in federal stimulus funding and is expected to support approximately 57 direct and indirect jobs.

Beginning Wednesday, June 24, drivers will encounter daytime single-lane closures and nighttime double-lane closures in both directions of I-5 between the north Kelso and Castle Rock vicinities (mileposts 43.81 to 50.94).

WSDOT’s contractor, Granite Northwest, Inc. of Camas, will begin installing signs and temporary fencing, and mobilizing construction equipment into the area.

Over the course of this project, crews will grind out existing pavement, remove damaged concrete panels, overlay the pavement surface with new asphalt, and improve guardrail along this section of I-5.

Replacing damaged concrete panels and resurfacing the interstate will extend the life of the roadway and provide motorists with a safer, smoother drive. In addition, this project will strengthen I-5, allowing the interstate to continue handling heavy commuter and freight traffic for years to come.

WSDOT expects this project to be complete by October. For more information, please visit the project Web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/pavementrehab/i5nkelsotocastlerock/.

Washington State is administering the Recovery Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire has created a new Web site, www.recovery.wa.gov, enabling every Washingtonian to see where their tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Obama has appointed Vice President Biden, a proven and aggressive Inspector General, to oversee all states’ recovery efforts and root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted.

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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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