Date:  Thursday, September 17, 2009

Contact: Colin Newell, Chehalis Area Engineer, (866) 713-2412 toll-free (Chehalis)
Abbi Russell, WSDOT Communications, 360-905-2058 (Vancouver)

WHITE PASS – Drivers can expect delays on US 12 near White Pass as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) begins construction on the last of three projects on US 12 between the Cortwright Creek Bridge in Lewis County and the Lewis/Yakima county line.

The construction zone is located approximately three miles north of the Cortwright Creek Bridge (mile post 143.16). Traffic will be reduced to one lane around the clock with a traffic signal alternating vehicles through the area weekdays beginning Monday, Sept. 21.

The lane closure provides the contractor an equipment staging area and adequate work space along US 12. Crews will work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. US 12 will be restored to two-lane traffic over the weekends.

The soil and rock slopes that support this portion of US 12 have sustained a great deal of erosion in recent years due to heavy snowmelt and flooding. Crews will improve drainage and strengthen the slope supporting US 12 to help avoid future erosion. Work will involve drilling into the rock face and installing porous material to redirect water flowing under the surface of the soil. The slope will then be reinforced with wire and concrete.

The $375,000 contract for this project was awarded Sept. 16 to Northwest Cascade Inc. of Puyallup. Construction is expected to be complete in late October.

In addition to this project, WSDOT completed two adjacent projects earlier this summer that paved US 12, stabilized slopes and improved erosion issues along the highway.

For weekly updates on this and all other traffic impacts in the region, please visit the WSDOT Southwest Region Weekly Travel Advisory Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthWest/Construction.

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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 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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