Cowlitz - West Side Highway
Project Number: 1660
From milepost 0.66 to milepost 2.69
RATA Funds: $600,000
Legislative District: 19
Status:
Date Approved: 2013
West Side Highway is Cowlitz County's main north-south collector west of I-5 and the Cowlitz River, which connects to SR 411 in Castle Rock and SR 506 in Lewis County. SR 411 continues south to State Route 432 and I-5 in south Longview. West Side Highway is a T3 truck route with significant truck traffic.
Wheel path ruts ran the entire length of the project causing additional structural deterioration of the pavement due to poor roadway drainage with stormwater holding in the ruts. Gravel shoulders were minimal or non-existent. This was unsafe. Errant vehicles had little room for error and would often run off the road. There was also little room to maneuver when drivers had to avoid oncoming vehicles that crossed the center stripe. Numerous accidents have occurred along West Side Highway.
The existing pavement was ground to remove the ruts and overlaid with hot mix asphalt, restoring the roadway’s structural integrity. This also improved the roadway drainage and safety features along the corridor. In addition, 6-foot wide paved shoulders were constructed on both sides of the road where feasible (avoiding impacts to landslides, creeks, wetlands, and private property). Guardrail was installed where warranted.
During construction, the construction workers and County inspectors received positive feedback from several of the traveling public. They were very happy to see that the ruts would be removed and the road would be widened and made safer.
Wheel path ruts ran the entire length of the project causing additional structural deterioration of the pavement due to poor roadway drainage with stormwater holding in the ruts. Gravel shoulders were minimal or non-existent. This was unsafe. Errant vehicles had little room for error and would often run off the road. There was also little room to maneuver when drivers had to avoid oncoming vehicles that crossed the center stripe. Numerous accidents have occurred along West Side Highway.
The existing pavement was ground to remove the ruts and overlaid with hot mix asphalt, restoring the roadway’s structural integrity. This also improved the roadway drainage and safety features along the corridor. In addition, 6-foot wide paved shoulders were constructed on both sides of the road where feasible (avoiding impacts to landslides, creeks, wetlands, and private property). Guardrail was installed where warranted.
During construction, the construction workers and County inspectors received positive feedback from several of the traveling public. They were very happy to see that the ruts would be removed and the road would be widened and made safer.