Date:  Thursday, May 27, 2010

Contact: Bob Hooker, WSDOT Project Engineer, (509) 577-1840
Amanda Sullivan, WSDOT Communications, (509) 577-1942

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WSDOT reopens new, smoother concrete lane on I-90 in Easton

Crews complete concrete work just in time for the Memorial Day weekend

EASTON – WSDOT and construction crews have finished replacing the deteriorated concrete pavement on westbound I-90 between Easton (milepost 70) and Nelson Siding Road (milepost 74) as part of $18.8 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded I-90 Lake Easton to Bullfrog project. All four lanes of I-90 are now open to traffic, just in time for Memorial Day weekend travel.

“We resumed work on the Lake Easton to Bullfrog project in early spring to complete the concrete replacement by Memorial Day weekend, which also kicks off the busy summertime travel season,” said Will Smith, Project Engineer. “WSDOT and our contractor crews worked nearly around the clock and through unseasonable weather, including a snowstorm in May, to get this work done. A combination of careful planning, hard work, and a break in the weather gave us a great window to complete the concrete work and meet our goal.”

WSDOT and its contractor Gary Merlino Construction Co. (Seattle) started construction on the eight-mile project in September 2009. Crews rehabilitated approximately five miles of deteriorating concrete of the right-hand lane and asphalt shoulders of westbound I-90 before winter began. Crews began construction on the final three project miles in March. This two-season project allowed WSDOT and crews to restore the structural integrity of the roadway, extend the service life of the pavement, and provide motorists with a smoother, quieter driving surface. The Lake Easton to Bullfrog project supported over 130 jobs at Gary Merlino and several other jobs at eight sub-contractors from across the Pacific Northwest.

“I know it hasn’t been easy for the public to plan extra time during their trips across the pass during the two seasons of this project,” said Smith. “I’d like to thank drivers, especially weekend drivers, of I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass for their patience while we worked to strengthen and preserve this vital east-west transportation corridor.”

Crews still need to put the finishing touches on the project such as removing barrier, sealing joints, permanent striping and other basic safety features. The remaining upgrades should not impact traffic.

What’s next on I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass

Crews resumed construction on the $571 million Transportation Partnership Account-funded I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East – Hyak to Keechelus Dam project in April. Currently, crews from Max. J. Kuney Co (Spokane) are constructing new bridges over Gold Creek and Rocky Run Creek. In June, crews will begin controlled rock blasting activities along the steep mountain slopes adjacent to I-90 between mileposts 57 and 58 in order to widen the freeway from four to six lanes. During rock blasting, crews will temporarily close both directions of I-90 from milepost 54 to milepost 61 at approximately 8 p.m. for up to an hour every Monday and Thursday until October. By closing I-90, crews can blast the rock, inspect the slopes for stability, and remove debris from the roadway in the safest, most efficient manner possible.

To stay up to date on this project and other projects on I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass, please visit: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i90/whatshappening

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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 http://wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/.

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