Interstate 90 widening project on Snoqualmie Pass resumes
Work on widening Interstate 90 to six lanes on the east side of Snoqualmie Pass has resumed for the construction season, the seventh year of the megaproject to upgrade the freeway.
Workers have started changing the wintertime lane configuration to prepare for construction.
Three miles of the widening project, starting at Hyak and going east, have been completed to the site of the old snow shed.
Guy F. Atkinson Construction in Redmond is moving ahead with work on the next 2 miles to the vicinity of the Keechelus Dam at the head of Keechelus Lake.
So far, the project has been budgeted at $551 million from a gas tax increase in 2005.
Savings of $108 million on earlier work is allowing the state to extend construction for an additional 2 miles from the dam to the Stampede Pass interchange starting this summer.
Work this year will include construction of bridges to replace the snow shed and a wildlife passage bridge just east of the dam.
Hourlong freeway closures for rock blasting will start again in June.
Completion of the current projects is scheduled for 2018.
In addition, predesign work has started on the segment from the Stampede Pass to the Cabin Creek interchange, a distance of 2 1/2 miles. However, that segment has no funding. It is estimated that construction there will cost $135 million.
Drivers may meet possible delays or rolling slowdowns through the construction zone this week. The slowdowns involve using transportation crews in trucks to get in front of freeway traffic and force it to slow down so that work can quickly be accomplished ahead of the slowdown.
Also, one of the eastbound lanes will be closed this week during nighttime hours.
The Price Creek Sno-Park and interim rest area are closing this spring.
Average daily traffic volume is 28,000 vehicles, which is expected to grow to 41,000 vehicles a day by 2030.
Elsewhere on I-90, crews will be repainting the Columbia River bridge at Vantage.
I-90 guardrail upgrade
Installation of new and safer guardrails on I-90 through the Spokane area will cause temporary closures of freeway ramps at U.S. Highway 195 during nighttime hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Friday.
The westbound off-ramp to U.S. 195 will be closed tonight.
On Tuesday night, the northbound off-ramp for U.S. 195 to westbound I-90 will be closed.
On Wednesday and Thursday nights, the northbound off-ramp for U.S. 195 to eastbound I-90 will be closed.
On Friday night, the eastbound I-90 off-ramp to U.S. 195 will be closed.
DOT work on interstate
In addition to those work sites, the state Department of Transportation said, “In general, Monday evenings through Saturday mornings, between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning, drivers should be alert for eastbound and/or westbound shoulder and lane restrictions on I-90 between the U.S. 195 Interchange and the Thor/Freya interchange. Drivers may also see narrow lanes and lane restrictions on the ramps, bridges and adjacent streets.”
Corridor delays
On Thursday from 10 a.m. until about noon, the southbound lanes of the North Spokane Corridor freeway will be closed intermittently so that girders for a pedestrian bridge at Freya Street can be placed.
Delays of 30 minutes are possible. A detour route is available at the Parksmith Drive interchange.
Weight limits lifted
Spokane County has removed its seasonal weight restrictions on some county roads where thawing conditions at the end of winter create the potential for damage.
Also, Barker Road south of 15th Avenue will be closed through Saturday for installation of a sewer line.
Cenex thanks volunteers
Cenex fuel has announced that Tracy Taitch, of Colbert, and Jerry Winters, of Spokane, each have received a $50 fuel card in the Tanks of Thanks program.
“Taitch was nominated for bringing a local youth day camp, Camp Dart-Lo, back to its feet after threats of closure. Taitch has been the volunteer camp director for four years, and has recruited many others to volunteer their time to help run the camp,” a news release from Cenex said.
“Winters was nominated for volunteering at his local church and hospital. He also offers food and transportation to community members in need,” the news release said.