Date:  Thursday, August 20, 2009

Contact: Chris Tams, WSDOT Project Engineer, (360) 759-1310 (Vancouver)
Abbi Russell, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2058 (Vancouver)

VANCOUVER – The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) this week awarded Tapani Underground, Inc. of Battle Ground a $15.79 million contract to build a new I-5, SR 501 Ridgefield interchange.

The I-5, SR 501 Ridgefield Interchange project is funded through state and local funding sources and received $10 million in 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds earlier this year, allowing WSDOT to begin constructing the project earlier than anticipated. The project is expected to support nearly 200 direct and indirect jobs in local communities.

Construction on the new SR 501 interchange is set to begin in September. By building an improved bridge and lengthening the I-5 ramps, the new interchange will improve safety and mobility on the interstate as well as SR 501 and adjacent roads.

The new interchange will be constructed with four lanes instead of the current two, and will include turn lanes as well as sidewalks for pedestrian and bicycle travel. Future work to improve adjacent intersections is planned but currently unfunded.

Construction is expected to be complete in late 2011 or early 2012. For more information, please visit the project Web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/I5/SR501Interchange/.

Washington State is administering the Recovery Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire has created a new website, 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 state’s 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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