Date:  Friday, June 11, 2010

Contact: Amanda Sullivan, WSDOT I-90 Communications, 509-899-5708 (Ellensburg)
Jen Watkins, I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition, 206-675-9747 x203 (Seattle)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Students win top prize in statewide transportation art and essay contest

Yakima and North Bend students recognized for their vision of transportation and wildlife safety along I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass

YAKIMA – Two Washington state students were honored for their participation in the sixth annual I-90 Bridging Futures Art and Essay Contest. The Washington State Department of Transportation and the I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition held surprise presentations at each student’s school to honor them for their outstanding creativity.

The winning students are:

• Taylor Moulton, third grade, Mountainview Elementary, Yakima
• Cassidy Rudd, fifth grade, North Bend Elementary, North Bend

As part of the contest’s grand prize, Moulton’s artwork will be displayed on a billboard in Seattle on Dearborn Street, and Rudd’s artwork will be displayed on a billboard in Ellensburg off of I-90 from July 12 to Aug. 12.

“Over the past six years, we are continually impressed by the level of creativity and thoughtfulness of the artwork and essay submissions, and this year is no exception,” said Charlie Raines, I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition Director. “It is important for our children to understand the natural environment and how wildlife and people can co-exist.”

More than 200 students ranging in age from six to 11 participated in the Bridging Futures Contest from schools across the state, including Yakima, North Bend, Cle Elum, Easton, Burien, and Selah. The students created drawings depicting wildlife bridges – an essential part of the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project – and essays highlighting the importance of considering wildlife when planning and designing our state’s highways. The contest judges included representatives from Governor Chris Gregoire’s office, Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond, Representative Judy Clibborn, Representative Bill Hinkle, I-90 Snoqualmie East Project Engineer Randy Giles, and I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition Director Charlie Raines.

“I-90 is our state’s most important east-west transportation corridor, and the uninterrupted movement of people and goods across Snoqualmie Pass is vital to our state’s economy,” said Randy Giles, I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project Engineer. “One way WSDOT is increasing the reliability of I-90 is by building bridges that improve ecological connectivity and reduce wildlife / vehicle collisions.”

In addition to building wildlife bridges on I-90 from Hyak (milepost 55) to Keechelus Dam (milepost 60), WSDOT will:
• Widen I-90 from four to six lanes
• Replace deteriorated concrete pavement of existing lanes and shoulders for a smoother ride
• Stabilize rock slopes to prevent rock fall hazards
• Extend chain up / off areas for freight
• Straighten sharp curves for visibility
• Build a new snowshed to minimize avalanche-related closures
• Add illumination, traffic cameras, and variable message signs.
WSDOT will complete the project by 2016. WSDOT received funding from the Washington State Legislature’s 2005 Transportation Partnership to design and construct this project.

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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 511.

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