This summer, travelers can expect construction cones and delays on some of Western Washington's key roadways as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) embarks on a mission to prolong the life of several state highways - by up to seven years, no less. In a recent release, WSDOT detailed the preservation work scheduled for portions of US 101, State Route 105, SR 110, and SR 165 that spread across four counties, an effort set to span from June through September.
According to WSDOT's announcement, contractor crews will perform chip seal operations, a road surface treatment that combines layers of asphalt with fine aggregate, on a collective stretch nearing 60 miles. Grays Harbor County will see the majority of the work with areas of US 101 and SR 105 being treated, while Jefferson, Clallam, and Pierce Counties will host preservation efforts along their slices of US 101, SR 110, and SR 165 respectively. Notably, Grays Harbor will have travelers driving through a 42.97-mile-long work zone on SR 105 near Westport.
The construction schedule details, shared by WSDOT, caution of potential travel disruptions during the busy summer months. Motorists should brace for up to half-hour delays and anticipate lowered speed limits in the active work zones. Moreover, the roads under construction will operate under single-lane restrictions, with traffic alternating to facilitate the infrastructure enhancements. These measures, as much a staple of summer as the long days and warm nights, are designed for the safety of both the road crews and the public navigating these routes.
For those planning to use the affected highways, WSDOT advises remaining vigilant and extending courtesy to road workers by reducing speed and maintaining a safe distance through the work zones. Paring patience with vigilance becomes, once more, the unofficial summer mantra for the Washington commuter navigating through these stretched of rejuvenation. As always, WSDOT's parting counsel to drivers: "slow down in work zones, watch for road crews and give them room to safely work," a reminder to preserve not just the roads we travel, but the lives entrusted with their care.
