Project news

• Through late September, crews will wrap up final work across all five work zones. Crews will install new guideposts, raised pavement markings and road signage. Expect rolling slow downs or a slow moving vehicle during weekday daytime hours. 
• 60 miles of US 101 and SR 19 in Clallam, Jefferson and Mason Counties got a facelift this summer. 
• Travelers are strongly encouraged to sign up for email alerts.

Needs & benefits

Anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000 vehicles per day travel along US 101 and State Route 19 across the Olympic Peninsula. Significant portions of these highways are worn and need to be repaired to provide a smoother ride for travelers. Repairing the driving surface with crack sealing or chip sealing strategies will help preserve the life of the roadway for years to come. Chip sealing costs often one-fifth of the price of traditional paving for comparable results.

Crews will conduct roadway repairs in the following areas:

• SR 19/SR 104 to S of W Valley Road: milepost 0.1 to 9.5
• US 101/SR 104 to Quilcene River Bridge: milepost 285.2 to 296.7
• US 101/Sol Duc River to Bear Creek: milepost 194.3 to 206.1
• US 101/SE of Johnson Road to W of Indian Creek: milepost 192 to 234.6
• US 101/S of Shar Lane to N of Bourgault Road: milepost 324.5 to 339

In addition to these roadway repairs, crews replaced worn expansion joints and conducted routine bridge maintenance to six state crossings:

• US 101 Calawah River Bridge, MP 192.36 to MP 192.41
• US 101 Sol Duc River Bridge MP 194.30 to MP 194.35
• US 101 Sol Duc River Bridge MP 203.15 to MP 203.21
• US 101 Sol Duc River Bridge MP 203.66 to MP 203.71
• US 101 Bear Creek Bridge, MP 206.01 to MP 206.09
• US 101 Skokomish River Bridge, MP 338.77 to MP 338.85

Chip Seals (or seal coating, BST, Bituminous Surface Treatment) is the application of a special protective wearing surface to an existing pavement.

Why chip seal?

• To keep water from penetrating the road structure on paved surfaces.
• To fill and seal cracks and raveled surfaces of old pavement.
• To provide an anti-glare surface during wet weather and an increased reflective surface for night driving.
• To seal the pavement surface-minimizing the effects of aging.
• To provide a highly skid-resistant surface, particularly on wet pavements.
• The cost of chip seals is 15%-20% of the cost of pavement overlays.

During construction, drivers will encounter single lane closures with flaggers throughout the work zone. Travelers will see construction during weekday, daytime hours. Any highway closures will be announced in advance.

Reduced Speeds

As with any highway construction project, travelers must exercise caution. Reduced speeds ensure safety and minimize the chance of vehicle damage. During the chip seal process, from the time the gravel is placed on the road to when the excess is swept away, the speed limit is 35 mph. At that speed, vehicles should not be damaged by flying rocks. Traffic moving at higher speeds can create dust, limit visibility, and cause an inconvenience to local residents. Increased speeds can also cause gravel to break loose from a fresh chip seal creating the risk of flying rock.

By driving 35 mph, vehicles are protected from unnecessary damage that can be caused by the sprayed asphalt and loose gravel. The slower speed also decreases the chance of damage from rocks which may be thrown up from other vehicles.

It takes time and patience
Please be patient when traveling in work zones. Traveling at the posted speed limit in construction zones will ensure traveler safety and the safety of highway workers. It's also the law. Traffic fines are doubled in construction zones. Obeying warning signs and flagging personnel instructions benefits all those who share the roadway.

Timeline

• Nov. 2020 – Contract advertised for competitive bids
• Dec. 9, 2020 - Contract awarded to Doolittle Construction 
• Spring 2021 – Construction begins
• Fall 2021 – Most work complete

Funding