Date:  Friday, June 12, 2009

Contact: Amy Danberg, WSDOT Communications, (206) 962-9635 (Yakima)
Jen Watkins, I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition (206) 940-7914 (Seattle)

Because animals don't look both ways...

YAKIMA – Two young artists were honored for their participation in the fifth annual I-90 Bridging Futures Art and Essay Contest co-sponsored by the Washington State Department of Transportation and the I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition. A surprise presentation was held today at each student’s school to honor them for their outstanding creativity.

The winning student artists are:

• Jennifer Corgiat, Third Grade, North Bend Elementary, North Bend
• Brianne Engelhart, Fourth Grade, Cle Elum Elementary, Cle Elum

More than 250 students ranging in age from six to 10 participated in the contest from schools and organizations in Auburn, Port Orchard, Ellensburg, Buckley, Bridgeport, North Bend, Cle Elum, Selah, and Yakima. The judges included representatives from Gov. Chris Gregoire’s office, I-90 project director Randy Giles; director of the I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition Charlie Raines; and representatives from Cong. Dave Reichert offices.

“It is so important for the younger generation to understand the natural ecosystem and envision how animals and humans can safely co-exist on Washington state roads,” said Charlie Raines, I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition director. “We applaud these students for their outstanding level of creativity and innovation.”

The winners were honored during presentations at their respective schools by I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition director Charlie Raines and WSDOT’s I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East project director Randy Giles. Winners were presented with a framed copy of their artwork.

“I-90 is a critical cross-state corridor and is located in a very unique environment,” said Randy Giles, I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East project director. “Reducing wildlife / vehicle collisions through the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East project is just one of the ways we plan to make I-90 safer and more efficient.”

The winners’ artwork is displayed on billboards in Seattle and Ellensburg, sharing the message of safety with motorists across the state. The billboards will run until July 8 in Seattle on Dearborn Street and in Ellensburg off of I-90.

In addition to wildlife under and over crossings that will help re-connect habitat in the Central Cascades, WSDOT will improve I-90 by providing a safer, more efficient six-lane freeway from Hyak to Keechelus Dam. The project will straighten roadway curves, replace old pavement, and reduce rock fall and avalanche hazards. The I-90 project is scheduled to begin construction on the first five miles of the project area this summer. For more information on the I-90 Project, visit: wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i90/snoqualmiepasseast.

View photos of the winners and their artwork from today’s presentation on Flicker.

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WSDOT's mission is to keep 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 511.

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