Project news

• Nearly 60 miles of US 101 and SR 19 in Clallam, Jefferson and Mason Counties is set to get a facelift this summer. As soon as May 3, crews will repair and resurface the highway in multiple locations for travelers, including improvements for those who walk or roll. Additionally, crews will replace worn expansion joints on six bridges as part of WSDOT’s maintenance and preservation program.
• Travelers are strongly encouraged to sign up for email alerts.
• Drivers should expect weekday daytime lane closures through fall 2021. Any highway closure will be announced in advance.

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 during the summer months 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 will also replace worn expansion joints and conduct 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