I-90 Recovery Project Kickoff

Gov. Chris Gregoire and Washington State Department of Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond today celebrated the start of construction on the first of Washington’s 181 state and local highway projects funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"This first ground breaking signifies an important step in our state’s economic recovery,” said Gregoire. “Not only are we getting people to work and federal dollars moving through our economy, Washington this week became one of the few states in the country that has obligated more than half of the federal highway ARRA funds. I commend Sec. Hammond and her team for reaching this milestone 60 days ahead of schedule.”

Once this $2.5 million preservation project is complete, drivers will experience a smoother, safer driving surface. WSDOT will also enhance drivability with updated safety features such as guardrails, signing, and striping. The project will open to traffic by mid-summer.

Secretary Hammond and WSDOT staff were joined by Rep. Judy Clibborn, Ellensburg Mayor Nancy Lillquist, a representative from Senator Patty Murray’s office, Federal Highways Administration’s Dan Mathis, Columbia Asphalt and its contractor crews and their families, and Mark Anderson of Anderson Hay & Grain in Ellensburg for the start of construction on the I-90 Yakima River to West Ellensburg Paving project.

"The main goals behind the Recovery package are to put people to work and get our economy back on track. This project exemplifies those goals and will be an engine for job creation and economic investment for communities from Ellensburg to Thorpe,” said Senator Maria Cantwell.

“After several months of hard work preparing, planning, and getting our projects advertised, today we are recognizing the people who are directly benefitting from the investments – those men and women who are being put to work because of these stimulus dollars,” said Hammond.

In addition to this project, the ARRA has funded four other pavement rehabilitation and preservation projects on I-90 and will allow WSDOT to upgrade traffic cameras along Snoqualmie Pass.

“The Recovery Act requires states to deliver half of their formula highway funds by June 29. By meeting this requirement two months ahead of schedule we are now in line for any undistributed funds from other states,” Hammond added.

For more information about the I-90 Yakima River to west Ellensburg resurfacing project or other federally funded projects, please visit our project Web page:

www.wsdot.wa.gov/funding/stimulus

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items are from 30 Apr 2009.