Date:  Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Contact: Denys Tak, WSDOT Project Engineer, (800) 545-1393 (toll-free in Kelso)
Heidi Sause, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2057 (Vancouver)

Residents, visitors in southern Cowlitz County enjoy smoother, safer drive

ARIEL – Travelers and commuters will experience a smoother, safer drive on SR 503 in southern Cowlitz County this week, as road crews complete repaving and guardrail improvements.

The SR 503, Rock Creek Bridge to Fredrickson Road project began construction in June, and crews wrapped up paving and guardrail work on Aug. 30 with three weeks of summer to spare.

The $2.5 million project is funded primarily by a federal grant through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Washington State Department of Transportation awarded the construction contract to Kerr Contractors, Inc. in April. The project included resurfacing more than ten miles of SR 503 between Rock Creek Bridge and Fredrickson Road (mileposts 35.5-46) and upgrading the existing guardrail to meet current federal standards.

“Before this project the pavement was worn out by years of regular truck use and the road was a pretty rough drive,” said project engineer Denys Tak. “This project repaired ruts and cracks and really transformed the route. Not only is the roadway safer, but it’s a beautiful drive, too.”

This project is one of 218 highway construction and preservation projects WSDOT is delivering with help from the Recovery Act. As of Aug. 25, 62 percent of the Recovery-Act-funded state and local highway projects were complete, and employees had worked more than 2.9 million payroll hours on federal stimulus funds.

Washington State is administering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Chris Gregoire created a website, www.recovery.wa.gov, so every Washingtonian can see where their tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results.

                                                                       ###

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 www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

< Go Back