WSDOT awards I-90 paving projects to Columbia Asphalt & Gravel

For Immediate Release: April 3, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Washington State Department of Transportation today announced that Columbia Asphalt & Gravel, Inc., of Yakima has been granted the contract to repave Interstate 90 near Keechelus Dam. Columbia Asphalt, which submitted the low bid of $2.7 million, was also selected to repave I-90 west of Ellensburg after submitting the low bid of $1.7 million.

�WSDOT is doing an exemplary job in accelerating the bid process and getting projects like these launched,� Gregoire said. �This is another great example of how Washington is getting federal stimulus money flowing through our state�s economy in an accountable way and creating jobs to put paychecks in wallets.�

�Washington is gaining momentum on delivering ARRA-funded highway projects,� said WSDOT Secretary Paula Hammond. �These projects transform federal funds into more than 50 jobs and smooth the ride on one of our state�s most critical transportation corridors.�

WSDOT and the contractor plan to begin construction near Keechelus Dam in June, depending on weather conditions and the contractor�s schedule. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided $4.2 million for this project. The contractor�s bid was $1.2 million below WSDOT�s estimate, freeing up federal funds for additional projects.

Construction on I-90 west of Ellensburg will begin as early as late April, making it the first ARRA-funded project to put people to work in the state. The construction start date is also dependent on weather conditions and the contractor�s schedule.

Columbia Asphalt�s crews will fix the eastbound lanes of I-90 near Keechelus Dam by replacing sections of badly deteriorated, cracked and damaged concrete pavement, and paving over the concrete pavement with asphalt from mileposts 59 to 64. Crews will also install two electronic speed limit signs to extend the variable speed limit section near Snoqualmie Pass.

Crews will fix the interstate west of Ellensburg by grinding the roadway surface and paving with hot mix asphalt from mileposts 102.5 to 106.4. The new roadway will require less repair work, which will reduce maintenance costs and extend the life of the pavement.

WSDOT and the contractor crews also will update safety features such as guardrails, signage and striping. Work is scheduled to be completed in August.

In addition to these projects, funding through ARRA will cover three other pavement projects on I-90 and traffic camera upgrades along Snoqualmie Pass.