Needs & benefits

In anticipation of heavy seasonal rains, WSDOT crews performed work on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, to unclog the culvert that runs under State Route 504, also known as Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, near George Taylor Road. Crews were successful in clearing the clog but discovered another issue. During the heavy seasonal rainstorm, the culvert and drainage system became overloaded causing the storm water to erode the soil under the highway, which in turn caused part of the culvert to collapse.  

Crews assessed the damage and determined that a single-lane of the highway be closed until a permanent repair could be made, and the culvert could be replaced. 

Beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will begin work to replace the culvert and repave the highway. This work will prevent further erosion and improve storm water drainage under SR 504. 

Timeline

• January 2019: Construction scheduled to begin
• February 2019: Project scheduled for completion

Construction details

• Jan. 15, 2019, until work is complete: Travelers on both directions of SR 504, near George Taylor Road, will be alternated through a single-lane with flaggers, Monday, through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
• Jan. 26 through Jan. 28, 2019: The first of two full weekend closures of all lanes of SR 504, between George Taylor Road and Hall Road, is planned and a signed detour will be in place. 
• Feb. 1 through Feb. 4, 2019: The second of two full weekend closures of all lanes of SR 504, between George Taylor Road and Hall Road, is planned, and a signed detour will be in place. 
• Note: During the full weekend closures, travelers will be detoured from either side of George Taylor Road, on SR 504.

Detour Details

• ​Travelers on the east side of George Taylor Road who need to reach I-5 or SR 504 just west of George Taylor Road will follow signs from SR 504 to SR 505 and southbound I-5.
• Travelers on the west side of George Taylor Road who need to reach the east side of George Taylor Road will follow signs from northbound I-5, to SR 505 (exit 63.0/Winlock/Toledo) then SR 504.

The End Result

Once completed, this project will provide a safe and stable roadway surface, reduce or eliminate the potential for storm water erosion, and improve the integrity of the highway for years to come.  

Funding

State emergency funding is being used for the project. The approximate cost has not yet been determined.