Date:  Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Contact: Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications Manager, (509) 577-1617
Paul Gonseth, WSDOT Project Engineer, (509) 577-1810

NEWS RELEASE

US 12 overnight closures for blasting west of Naches start at 7 p.m. November 12

NACHES – WSDOT and Scarsella Bros. Construction plan to close US 12 in both directions from 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 to 6 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13 to begin blasting the large rock outcropping adjacent to US 12, ten miles west of the junction with SR 410.

Subsequent road closures for blasting are scheduled for Monday and Thursday nights, Nov. 16, 19, and 23, from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. the next day. These closure hours were chosen to have minimal traffic impacts. Closures may be shorter than the allotted time. There is a good chance that the Nov. 12 closure will be considerably shorter than the rest.

"The overnight closure for blasting activities, although inconvenient for travelers, will allow crews to safely bring down the rock and clear it from the highway. The closure zone will keep traffic at a safe distance," said Paul Gonseth, WSDOT Project Engineer.

Westbound traffic: During the designated closure hours, all westbound through traffic will be required to turn around or wait at the Oak Creek Elk Feeding Station. Local and recreational westbound traffic can drive as far as Windy Point campground.

Eastbound traffic: During the designated closure hours, all eastbound through traffic will be required to turn around or wait at the White Pass summit. Local and recreational eastbound traffic can drive as far as Rimrock Retreat.

Special arrangements have been made for emergency service vehicles.

Alternate routes:

I-90 Snoqualmie Pass and US 97 Satus Pass to I-84 in Oregon are the recommended alternate routes.

SR 123 Cayuse Pass and SR 410 Chinook Pass have been closed for the season due to heavy snow and avalanche danger.

As part of the Tieton Bridges replacement project, WSDOT's contractor is building two new bridges across the Tieton River. The new bridges will be wider and safer, providing more recovery room for motorists. Blasting existing rock faces will reduce the risk of rocks falling onto the roadway.

For additional project information visit our Website at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US12/TietonRiverBridge/default.htm

For information on mountain pass conditions call 511 or visit:
www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/

Helpful tips on winter weather driving can be found at:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/

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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 wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/ or by dialing 511 on your telephone.

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