Construction on new interchange continues

By Jim Rogers

In 1997, the comprehensive metformin hydrochloride 1000 mg Wenatchee Area Transportation Study (WATS) identified the need for more study of the congested SR 28/285 interchange area.  Increased traffic volumes and delays were, even then, causing the Grant Road intersection to exceed its capacity.  The Washington State Department of Transportation, Douglas County and the City of East Wenatchee sponsored the SR 28/285 Interchange Area Improvement Study to evaluate the community’s transportation needs and develop a specific plan.

This study was completed in December of 2002.  The recommended long term solution is a Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) at the intersection of SR 28/285 and Grant Road.  This underpass-type interchange would bring all ramps to a single signalized intersection above Sunset Highway.

In October of 2003, a value engineering team, comprised of members from WSDOT, Douglas County, the City of East Wenatchee, and the Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council reviewed the proposed design and looked for ways to refine it and reduce impacts to the local businesses and the traveling public.  The team recommended a plan that constructs a SR 28 bypass for southbound traffic now, followed by construction of a single point urban interchange at Grant Road as traffic volume increases in the future.

This project constructs a two-lane, one-way bypass for southbound SR 28 traffic, that will start at the eastbound off-ramp from SR 285 at the Senator George Sellar Bridge and connect to SR 28 south of 3rd Street SE.  The current ramp for southbound SR 28 traffic to Grant Road will be removed and this traffic will get to Grant Road from the bypass by turning left between Fred Meyer and Top Food.  A third left turn lane from SR 28 onto Grant Road and a third eastbound lane up Grant Road will also be built.

What are the benefits? Safety: Lane weaving movements from the intersection of SR 28 and Grant Road will be reduced.Congestion: Congestion will be relieved by removing southbound SR 28 traffic from the Grant Road intersection and placing it onto the bypass.  Also, by adding the third left turn lane onto Grant Road, the signal can be optimized to benefit the heavier traffic movements. Environment: The alignment of this project has been developed to stay as far away from the Columbia River shoreline as feasible. Walls will be used to minimize impacts to native vegetation and sensitive areas. Permanent storm water detention and treatment facilities will be constructed to blend with the natural topography.

What is the project timeline? Construction began Sept. 6, 2011 and will be complete in the spring of 2013.

This project was advertised for private contractor bids May 16, 2011. Five qualified bids were opened June 23. On July 8, Contract #8166 was awarded to KLB Construction, Inc. for $16,363,377.90, 4% over estimate.

For more information, contact:

Kevin Waligorski Project Engineer

WSDOT North Central Region

2830 Euclid Ave

Wenatchee, WA 98807

Phone: (509) 667-2860 or toll free (888) 461-8816

E-mail: waligok@wsdot.wa.gov

(Jim Rogers photo)