| Project Detail |
In summer 2021, the Washington State Department of Transportations contractor Granite Construction Company, will begin work to repair and preserve a nearly 18-mile stretch of State Route 14, between Wood Creek at milepost 134.31 and Alderdale Road at milepost 152.24, in Klickitat County.
Approximately 1,250 vehicles a day travel along this stretch of SR 14, with the greatest number of travelers visiting the Gorge and surrounding areas. Its been nearly 16 years since this stretch of highway has been paved. The roadway is showing its age with signs of wear and tear with cracked and rutted pavement. Chip sealing will extend the useful life of the highway and provide travelers with a safe, reliable roadway surface for years to come.
During construction, crews will seal cracks along the road surface and coat sections of the highway with chip seal. 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 traditional paving.
What should travelers expect during construction?
Once construction begins, travelers should expect weekday, daytime single lane closures with flaggers and a pilot car leading travelers through the work zone. Travelers should plan for delays of up to 20 minutes. Bicyclists will be transported through the work zone when present. Any highway closures will be announced in advance.
Reduced Speeds
As with any highway construction project, travelers must exercise caution. Traveling at slower speeds 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 construction speed limit in construction zones will ensure your safety and the safety of highway workers.
Its also the law.
Traffic fines are doubled in construction zones. Obeying warning signs and flagging personnel instructions benefits all those who share the roadway with you, too.
Timeline
April 2021: Project goes out to competative bid
May 14, 2021: Project is awarded to Granite Construction Company
July 2021: Construction scheduled to begin
Fall 2021: Construction scheduled for completion |
