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Road Division piggybacks projects to save time, money
As the old saying goes “time is money,” and the
King County Road Services
Division recently saved on both by piggybacking repair projects east
of Redmond.
Approximately 10 blocks of Union Hill Road were closed on Saturday, May
24 so county crews could repair the shoulders of the road that were
significantly damaged by winter storms. The weather caused the roadway
to drop approximately 12 inches along the edge and caused damage to a
retaining wall that supports the roadway.
While that scheduled work was underway, another Roads Maintenance crew
took advantage of the traffic-less conditions to cut out worn patches of
asphalt, grind down bumps, fill dips and cracks, and smooth out several
sections of rough roadway.
The pavement work was originally scheduled for a future date, but by
combining the projects together the division needed fewer traffic
control workers and the total road closure meant the work could get done
faster. The efficiency saved money, and also allowed Roads to tap into
federal grant money for storm repairs that expires on June 1.
There is still some follow-up work to do on Union Hill Road involving
repairs to curbs and guardrails that will be done with single lane
closures outside of commute times. Motorists should drive with care
through the area when the crews are at work.
Check on access to recreation areas before heading out
Despite warmer weather, the
Road Services Division is warning that some roads in remote areas of
unincorporated King County are still impassible due to snow, which will
also limit access to some popular recreation areas.
This is particularly true around the town of Skykomish. In that area,
upper portions of the Old Cascade Highway that connects Highway 2 to the
Iron Goat Trail are blocked by up to two feet of snow. Money Creek Road,
another popular access to hiking trails, is impassible about three miles
west of Highway 2.
Heavy snowfall and winter storms have also damaged some backcountry
roads and trails that are beyond the maintained county road system.
Hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts should check with the U.S. Forest
Service, Washington State Parks, or local ranger stations about current
conditions before entering remote areas.
People should also use extreme caution around local rivers, many of
which are swollen with snowmelt. |
