| Project Detail |
Needs & benefits
Several sections along State Route 14 have a history of reoccurring rockfall activity above the roadway. To help reduce future potential rockfall activity and improve safety for travelers, in summer 2021, our contractor, James Dean Construction, Inc. will stabilize the slope located on the north side of SR 14, 1.7 miles east of Bingen, between milepost 68.75 and 68.87, in Klickitat County.
In January 2007, an approximate 500 cubic yards of rock and debris fell onto the roadway halting travel in both directions. Winter weather often brings heavy wind and rain, increasing the likelihood of rockfall activity which can force the closure of the highway until maintenance crews can clear rocks and debris. To reduce the potential for emergency highway closures, contractor crews will remove unstable sections of rock from the slope face adjacent to SR 14 and build a catch basin within the ditch line.
Crews will line the catch basin with energy absorbing materials to help contain rockfall from this slope which helps reduce the amount of rock and debris that falls onto the roadway.
The End Result
Safety: Stabilizing the slope improves safety for travels by reducing the potential for rocks and debris to fall onto the highway.
Cost: Removing loose rock and debris reduces the potential for costly maintenance repairs to the roadway as well as the need for extended emergency road closures and travel delays.
What to expect during construction
Once construction begins in summer 2021, travelers should expect weekday, daytime, alternating single and double lane closures for the duration of the project with delays of up to 20 minutes.
During rock scaling work, crews will close both directions of SR 14 for 45 minutes at the beginning of each hour. Both lanes of the highway must reopen once an hour to provide a minimum of 15 minutes to clear traffic. Rock scaling work will occur weekdays, during daylight hours.
We understand the 45-minute closures will greatly impact travelers through the area, however, for the safety of the traveling public, these closures will only occur when crews are performing rock-scaling work. Be sure to sign up for notifications so you can plan your trips ahead.
No full closures of the highway will occur after 12 p.m. (noon) on Fridays.
Timeline
April 2021: Project went out for competitive bid
May 20, 2021: Project was awarded to James Dean Construction, Inc.
July 2021: Construction scheduled to begin
Fall 2021: Construction scheduled for completion |
