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Paving Ahead!

Summer kicks off paving projects in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties

Work to resurface more than 32 miles of highway on SR 4, SR 411 and SR 432 begins July 11

 

KELSO – Time and tires have taken their toll on state highways in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, but help is on the way. The Washington State Department of Transportation’s contractor, Granite Construction Company, will start work to repair the worn and damaged pavement next week.

 

“These stretches of roadway are showing their age with cracks and ruts lining the highway,” said WSDOT Project Engineer Joanna Lowrey. “We appreciate drivers planning ahead and bearing with us while we do this important work.”

 

About the projects

SR 4: Kandoll Road to the West Valley Creek Bridge

Beginning Monday, July 11, crews will resurface nearly13 miles of existing pavement on State Route 4, between Kandoll Road and east of Ingalls Road through Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties. The highway will receive a new coat of oil and gravel chips with this $1.6 million project.

 

SR 411: First Avenue SW to Interstate 5

Beginning Monday, July 11, crews will resurface more than 12 miles of pavement on State Route 411 between Longview and Castle Rock. This $2.4 million project includes intersection, crosswalk and striping enhancements along the corridor.

SR 432: SR 4 to 3rd Avenue

Beginning Monday, July 11, crews will resurface more than 7 miles of pavement on State Route 432, from SR 4 to 3rd Avenue in Kelso. As part of this $2.5 million dollar project crews will also replace more than 60 broken and unstable concrete panels under the pavement surface.

What can drivers expect during construction?

During all three projects, drivers should add extra time to their trips and prepare for delays due to lane and travel restrictions. WSDOT offers a variety of tools to help drivers:

• Lane-closure information is available on the Construction Update & Travel Advisory.
• Sign up to receive email updates about these projects and other WSDOT news.
• Get real-time traffic information with the WSDOT mobile app and by following WSDOT’s regional Twitter feed.Work on these projects is weather dependent and scheduled for completion in fall 2016.

The End Result This work will preserve highway infrastructure and extend the useful life of the highways. It also creates safer driving conditions for the thousands of travelers who use these stretches of roadway each day.

Hyperlinks within the release:

SR 4 project information: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr4/kandollrdvictowvalleycrkbridge/     
• SR 411 project information: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR411/firstavetoi5pavement/
• SR 432 project information: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr432/sr4toindustrialwaypaving/
• Southwest Region Construction Update and Travel Advisory: www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/southwest/construction/
• Sign up to receive project updates: https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/wadot/subscriber/new
• WSDOT mobile app: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Inform/mobile.htm
• Southwest Region Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/wsdot_sw   

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 511.

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Is Your Pet Prepared?

Every member of your household should be prepared for disasters. That means pets, too!    Just as you would create a disaster supply kit for yourself, be sure to also assemble one for your pet. In addition to having enough food and water to last at least three days, the Ready Campaign recommends: ·        Medicines and medical records: Keep an extra supply of medicines your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container as well as records with any instructions; ·        Collar with ID tag, harness or leash: Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times. Include a backup leash, collar, and ID tag in your pet’s emergency supply kit; ·        Crate or other pet carrier: If you need to evacuate in an emergency, take your pets and animals with you; and ·        Sanitation: Include pet litter and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs.  You can use bleach as a disinfectant (dilute nine parts water to one part bleach), or in an emergency you can also use it to purify water. Note: Please store chlorine bleach safely! Keep products containing hazardous materials such as chlorine bleach in their original containers and never remove the labels; never store hazardous products in food containers; and never mix chlorine bleach with any other household cleaning products. Mixing may cause chemicals to react, ignite, explode, or release poisonous gases that will cause very serious breathing problems or death.  For the full list of items you should include in your pet’s kit, download Preparing Makes Sense for Pet Owners today!   Keep your pet prepared while on the go using the American Red Cross Pet First Aid mobile app. Use this app to help your furry friends during emergencies until you can get to a veterinarian. It’s available for download on Apple and Android devices.

Fireworks Safety

Stay safe this holiday. Fire and safety experts agree the best way to enjoy fireworks is from a distance. Leave the fireworks to the professionals!   Fireworks are often used to mark holidays and special events. While these displays may be visually appealing, they present dangers for consumer use. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), hundreds of people are injured each Fourth of July while using consumer fireworks, including sparklers and firecrackers.   Get the facts about fireworks safety to share with family and friends. Take a look at this fireworks safety video and visit the CPSC Fireworks Information Center.

Don't Take to the Trails Without These 10 Essentials

The key to keeping a hike safe and enjoyable is making sure you have the right gear.

• Trail shoes or boots
• GPS, map and compass.  A GPS enabled device is handy, but go old-school too.  Always carry a map and compass as a backup should your electronic device die or should the unit be unable to pick up a signal
• Extra water and way to purify water should you run out and need to use lake or stream water.
• Rain gear and extra clothing.  Try to avoid cotton, which keeps moisture close to your skin.
• Safety items--such as flashlight, whistle and a way to start a fire.
• Extra food
• First aid kit
• Knife or multi-purpose tool
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Daypack/Backpack

Know Your Role in Wildland Fire Preparedness

You can take steps to improve your safety and potentially reduce damage to your property by taking personal responsibility and action!

READY:  Dispose of or relocate combustible material from around your home. Trim trees and bushes to allow ample space between your home and landscape vegetation. 

SET:  Arrange your "go kit" with prescription medication, emergency supplies, important documents and other essential items.  Create your own wildland fire action plan, involve your family and practice exit plans from your home and from your neighborhood.

GO:  Get your "go kit" and leave well before the threat approaches.  Stay aware of the situation and cooperate with local authorities during evacuation and re-entry processes. 

From www.wildlandfirersg.org

Register for free boating class

The last free Adventures in Boating certification course until fall, sponsored by the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division, takes place from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at the Cowlitz County Search and Rescue Building, 1800 Western Lane, Kelso. Early registration is suggested because classes fill up quickly.

 

Participants who take the one-day class will be certified to operate a vessel in Washington. Classes are open to anyone who needs to obtain a Washington State Boaters Education Card.

All vessel operators 59 years old and younger must have a Washington Boaters Education Card to operate a vessel in the state. For additional information and resources, visit www.boatered.org.

To register for the class, call Deputy Jordan Spencer at 360-577-3092 or send an email to spencerj@co.cowlitz.wa.us.