Date:  Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Contact:
Lisa Copeland, Communications Manager, (360) 357-2789

BURLEY – Driving on SR 16 gets safer today when WSDOT and contractor Ceccanti, Inc., open the new interchange at Burley Olalla Road. The $24 million project eliminates the last at-grade intersection on SR 16 and dramatically improves access to and from the highway.

WSDOT and the contractor expect to open the interchange this afternoon, completing work on the project more than nine months ahead of schedule and $1.2 million under budget. This accomplishment was celebrated by state and local officials Wednesday, Oct. 7 during a ribbon-cutting event at the site.

“All across Washington we are seeing how the investments of the 2003 and 2005 gas tax packages are paying dividends in safer roads and intersections,” said Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond. “The project team and contractor deserve credit for working hard to finishing this project a year early and under budget.”

Approximately 42,000 drivers use SR 16 through Burley Olalla each day.

The new interchange, which adds new bridges to carry traffic over Burley Olalla Road, accommodates future SR 16 expansion. It also enhances the environment by rechanneling two streams and installing wider culverts for improved fish passage.

To view photos from today’s ribbon-cutting event visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/sets/72157615736990139/. For more information about the new Burley Olalla interchange visit the project Web site: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR16/BurleyOlalla/.

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