Date:  Friday, June 19, 2009

Contact: Moe Davari, WSDOT Project Engineer (509) 222-2402 or (509) 948-2488
Meagan McFadden, WSDOT Communications (509) 654-0697

KENNEWICK – A portion of a $16 million project to rebuild an interchange and two roundabouts on US 395 between Columbia Drive and SR 240 is one step closer to being finished. After nearly three weeks of closures WSDOT will open the new roundabouts to traffic one day earlier than anticipated on Saturday morning, June 20.

Portions of SR 240 and Columbia Drive have been closed since June 1 while WSDOT and KLB Construction, Inc. worked to build the new roundabouts.

“This couldn’t have been accomplished with out the willingness of our crews to work seven days a week, 24 hours a day,” said Moe Davari, WSDOT Project Engineer. “We increased the number of crews and we had excellent coordination between KLB Construction, Inc., and the sub-contractors, which helped us open this portion of the project ahead of schedule.”

The south side of the US 395 Blue Bridge has been a problem area in the Tri-Cities for many years. The project, which is rebuilding the interchange, including the two roundabouts, will relieve congestion and improve safety in this heavily traveled freight and commuter route. The project also is nearly $5 million under budget and ahead of schedule. The entire project is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year.

For more information on this project visit:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/us395/columbiadrivetosr240/

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