HomeMy WebLinkAbout062623 FW_ Upcoming Construction on US 101 East of Sequim - Delays Expected
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From: Roark, Steve
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2023 8:32:33 AM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov; Chapman, Rep. Mike; steve.tharinger@leg.wa.gov; Rolfes, Sen. Christine; tarra.simmons@leg.wa.gov; drew.hansen@leg.wa.gov; Ozias, Mark; Johnson, Randy;
Mike.French@ClallamCountyWA.gov; Kate Dean; Heidi Eisenhour; Greg Brotherton; nwest@cityofpa.us; kdexter@cityofpa.us; Matthew Huish; tferrell@sequimwa.gov; David Faber; John Mauro
Cc: Breaux, Steven; Mitchell, Cara; Abrudan, Kris; Bentz, Christi; Shannon, MaryLou
Subject: Upcoming Construction on US 101 East of Sequim - Delays Expected
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Good afternoon,
Today we are sending out a news release announcing the start of a multi-year project on US 101 in Jefferson and Clallam counties. We also highlight a week in August where US 101 will
be reduced to a single lane. I want to make sure you have a copy of that announcement in case your office fields questions.
The project, which begins in July, is correcting six culverts under US 101 between Gardner and Sequim. From 7 p.m. Sunday, August 13 through the evening of Friday, August 18, US 101
will be reduced to one-lane of alternating traffic at the Eagle Creek. During the around-the-clock operation, crews will remove and replace the culvert. This type of work in waterways
can only be done during certain timeframes in the summer to ensure fish and habitat aren’t unduly disturbed. Travelers will use a single lane road around the work zone. One lane of
traffic will alternate, controlled by a signal. We know this will create backups on both directions of US 101 approaching the work zone. Our traffic modeling shows there could be up
to 90-minute delays, especially on Monday, Thursday and Friday. I know that closing one lane of US 101 is inconvenient to both residents and tourists alike, but the closure both minimizes
the construction footprint and reduces the overall timeline for construction, and improves worker safety.
We and our contractor will provide additional traffic control measures to help keep local roads open for first responders and local businesses. This includes and is not limited to:
* Incident Response Unit near the work zone.
* Additional nonpublic facing traffic cameras for our region traffic management center to monitor backups.
* Emergency responders will have direct access to traffic control crews at the work site.
* “Local Access Only” signs placed at Chicken Coop Road to help deter cut-through traffic.
The news release issued today is the first of several outreach items our communications team has lined up to help educate travelers about this work. Additional outreach materials include:
* Portable message signs at the work zone one month prior to the work starting.
* Blogs, social media posts.
* Informational flyers to nearby businesses and Washington State Ferries.
* Advanced notification of travel delays to greater Seattle area and Portland markets, encouraging travelers to travel earlier in the day or later in the evening.
Of the six culvert locations, this site is the only one that will require reducing US 101 to one travel lane for a week. The remaining culvert sites will maintain two travel lanes. The
project is scheduled to finish in late-2025.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 360-357-2659.
Regards,
Steve
Steve Roark, PE
Region Administrator
WSDOT Olympic Region
7407 31st Ave NE
Lacey, WA 98516
(360) 357-2658