Drivers who use State Route 522 near Monroe are going to see double beginning Monday, Dec. 15.
That's when contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation plan to open two additional lanes on the newly widened highway. A new bridge across the Snohomish River and a new roundabout on 164th Street S.E. are also planned to open.
"Opening a second lane in each direction is a huge step forward on this widening project,GÇ¥ said WSDOT Project Engineer Mary Ann Reddell. "It will help ease the morning and evening commutes for the 28,000 drivers who use the highway every day. We appreciate folks' patience with the construction work to reach this milestone. GÇ¥
The new 1,700 foot long Snohomish River Bridge will open to drivers on Monday, Dec. 15. The bridge will carry westbound traffic, while the older bridge over the river will be restriped to accommodate eastbound drivers.
Weekend closure for roundabout work
A new roundabout at 164th Street-áS.E. will also be operational on Monday, Dec. 15. To prepare the roundabout for opening, the westbound SR 522 on-and off-ramps will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 through 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15. In addition:
-+-á-á-á-á-á-á 164th Street Southeast/Main Street will be closed between the existing eastbound roundabout and Fryelands Boulevard from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. A detour will be provided.
-+-á-á-á-á-á-á The eastbound on-and off-ramps and roundabout will remain open.
Opening the new lanes, roundabout and bridge is weather-dependent since contractor crews require dry weather to complete the paving and striping work.
A milestone in the making
To open the new lanes, bridge and roundabout, crews from WSDOT's contractor Scarsella Brothers, Inc. completed an enormous amount of work:
-+-á-á-á-á-á-á Blasted away more than 300,000 cubic yards of rock to make room for the new westbound lanes.
-+-á-á-á-á-á-á Placed nearly 90,000 tons of asphalt for a smoother drive on SR 522.
-+-á-á-á-á-á-á Installed more than four miles of concrete barrier to separate eastbound and westbound traffic.
-+-á-á-á-á-á-á Built three bridges in addition to the Snohomish River Bridge.
-+-á-á-á-á-á-á Installed a new drainage system and built stormwater treatment ponds.
-+-á-á-á-á-á-á Constructed a wildlife crossing under SR 522.
-+-á-á-á-á-á-á Added new highway lighting and signage.
Crews will continue working through winter on curbing and drainage. They may close at least one lane in each direction times during non-peak commute hours. Permanent striping will occur in the spring.
The widening project is one of the final stages of a $145.5 million investment in the SR 522 corridor, which included a new flyover ramp at the U.S. 2 interchange, wetland and restoration work. The improvements were funded by the 2003 gas tax. The new four-lane divided highway will reduce congestion and the risk of collisions.
For more information, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR522/Widen/SnoRiver_US2. Photos of the widening project are also available on the WSDOT Flickr site.
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