HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2005-113 Interstate 90 ( I-90 ) Snoqualmie Pass ProjectRESOLUTION NO. R -2005-m
A RESOLUTION of the Yakima City Council supporting the 1-90 Snoqualmie Pass Project
as proposed by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
WHEREAS, the State of Washington Department of Transportation has determined the
vital need for improvements to 1-90 at Snoqualmie Pass to protect vehicles from reoccurring
natural snow avalanche events that impede the traffic, both commercial and private vehicles;
and
WHEREAS, the Project was initiated to benefit all vehicle modes and uses; and
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima perceives the need for the completion of this Project to
enhance the transportation options in the local area; and
WHEREAS, the duly elected members of the City Council are responsible to the citizens
of Yakima for managing and implementing transportation options through the City corridor within
the City of Yakima; and
WHEREAS, those proposed improvements by the Washington State Department of
Transportation are seen as a benefit to the citizens of the City of Yakima by providing safe and
dependable transportation options that protect the motoring public from reoccurring avalanche
events; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
The City Council supports the improvements to 1-90 Snoqualmie Pass proposed by the
Washington State Department of Transportation and affirms the importance of this project to the
citizens of the City of Yakima.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 19th day of July, 2005.
ATTEST:
Koute.„ 5d
City Clerk
Paul P. George, Mayor
=1:= Washington State
TI/ Department of Transportation
June 2005
South Central Region
1-90 Snoqualmie Pass East
CASCADE CONNECTION
Interstate 90 is a critical east—west transportation link connecting Puget Sound's deep -water ports,
large population centers, and varied retail/service businesses with the farmlands, diverse industries,
and extensive outdoor recreational areas of Eastern Washington. The uninterrupted movement of
cars, trucks, freight, and recreational vehicles across the Cascade Mountains and over Snoqualmie
Pass is essential to our quality of life and the economic vitality of Washington State and the region.
Why is the 1-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project important?
Avalanches and Closures
The Snoqualmie Pass summit on 1-90 (elevation 3,022 feet) is the only section of
interstate highway in Washington State with an operational plan for routine closures.
Due to road conditions, accidents, and avalanches, the pass was closed for an
average of 120 hours per year between 1992 and 2004. Of those closures, 80
hours per year were related to avalanches. It is conservatively estimated that
avalanche closures cost business and private travelers $17.5 million annually.
Traffic Volumes
1-90 is the primary east—west route for Washington State. Each year 35 million tons
of freight and 10 million vehicles (including 2 million semi -trucks and numerous
recreational vehicles) travel over Snoqualmie Pass. The average traffic volumes on
this interstate are increasing by 3.5% each year, and daily usage has climbed as
high as 58,000 vehicles during peak travel periods. These peak volumes already
exceed the amount of traffic 1-90 was designed to carry.
Deteriorating Pavement
The highway pavement on 1-90 is between 30 and 50 years old. It has exceeded its
lifespan and is in a state of rapid deterioration. Between 1993 and 1996, 120,000
dowel bars were installed to reinforce the cement concrete pavement, which will
extend the pavement life to approximately the year 2010. Some sections with
extensive cracking were also overlaid with asphalt pavement in 1998. Due to
extreme weather conditions and heavy usage, the asphalt pavement rapidly
deteriorated and was replaced three years later at a cost of $1.5 million. As more
cement and asphalt concrete pavement fails throughout the corridor, repeated
overlay projects will be required. Increased frequency and lengths of overlay
projects adds to traffic delays and taxpayer costs.
Safety
There are numerous sharp curves which limit sight distance throughout the corridor.
Debris on the highway, or accidents, can create hazards that may not be seen in
time for motorists to avoid. The Hyak to Easton section of 1-90 has an accident rate
double that of other rural sections. Winter storm events amplify the hazards caused
by the sight distance and alignment problems through this section.
Unstable Slopes
Several unstable slopes have been identified throughout the project, which deposit
debris onto interstate 90. In the past, debris from these unstable slopes, ranging in
size from small rocks to complete slope failures, have closed traffic lanes and
caused serious accidents. Although slope failures are not a regular occurrence,
their potential threat to public safety is significant and warrants solutions.
Ecological Connectivity
Snoqualmie Pass is within an area recognized as a critical connective Zink in the
north/south movement of wildlife in the Cascade Range. Habitat diversity within the
project area is high due to extreme differences in precipitation and elevation. Three
distinct linkage zones have been identified within the project limits based on
differences in biological communities. These communities include threatened,
endangered, and sensitive species, in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The
existing highway acts as a barrier bisecting these zones. An adequate connection
between habitats on either side of 1-90 is necessary for the continued health of
these ecosystems, and the safety of both drivers and wildlife.
1-90 Snoqualmie Pass East:
Ecological Connectivity Options
Several streams and documented wildlife crossing locations have been identified as Connectivity
Enhancement Areas (CEA) for improving the connection between habitats that are divided by the highway.
Combinations of the connectivity enhancements depicted in the following design visualizations are being
evaluated at CEAs located throughout the corridor. Compared to the existing conditions, any of the three
improvement options would significantly enhance ecological connectivity, and safety for drivers and wildlife in
the area.
• Large structures sized to span multiple wildlife
pathways and wetlands would provide wide-open
crossings with minimum obstructions and allow
safe movement of wildlife between habitats.
• Floodplains and channel migration zones would
be enhanced to provide more natural conditions.
if` TO wart/e
Snoqualmie Pass
Hyak
Connectivity
Enhancement
Area (CEA)
Wildlife
Migration
Corridors
• Groups of moderately sized openings or wider
structures spanning multiple pathways would
provide greater opportunities for wildlife
movement between habitats.
• Floodplains and channel migration zones would
be greatly improved over existing conditions.
• Structures would be sized for hydraulic capacity,
fish passage, and to improve opportunities for
wildlife movement between habitats.
• Floodplains and channel migration zones would
be improved over existing conditions.
Note: There are over 3000 possible
combinations of connectivity improvements.
Each CEA will be evaluated individually and
then collectively to determine the preferred
alternative.
Easton
Connectivity Enhancement Areas
Multiple Design Options
OSingle Design Options
1-90 Snoqualmie Pass East - Hyak to Easton
Decisions Made
Snoqualmie Pass
Route Alternatives Preliminary Decisions
1. An interdisciplinary team (IDT) recommended that
preliminary alternatives utilizing new routes/corridors, be
eliminated from further consideration. Although elimination
was based on multiple criteria, a predominant factor leading to
rejection was that the creation of an additional transportation
� corridor and abandonment of the existing highway would
Hyak g create significantly greater impacts than expanding the existing
t� route.
1
1 2. The IDT recommended further evaluation of the "common
i , route," including four different alternatives along Keechelus
111 1 , Lake and solutions to improve connectivity throughout the
% + remainder of the corridor.
N
• s
• 3. Transit, rail line expansion, or other traffic management
•� Existing alternatives have also been considered for development, but
♦ Snowshed do not adequately apply within the purpose and need of the
a * project.
,• •
•` •1
♦41air
ra mi
NMI
MI NM
Legend
Rampart Ridge Route
Split Route
Roaring Ridge Route
Common Route
Easton
a
tP
6�
s
1-90 Snoqualmie Pass East - Hyak to Easton
Proposed Improvements
Evaluating Corridor Needs
WSDOT has identified the portion of 1-90 between Hyak and
Ellensburg as an area of concern due to the variety and severity of
problems occurring along that stretch of highway. The 1-90 Project
Team is evaluating the corridor between the summit at Snoqualmie
Pass (Hyak) and the town of Easton to address the worst problems .
Design Solutions
Improvements within this 15 -mile corridor between Hyak and Easton
will widen 1-90 to a six -lane facility, reduce avalanche closures and
rockfall hazards, replace deteriorated pavement, straighten curves,
lengthen truck climbing lanes, and enhance ecological connectivity for
the safe passage of drivers and wildlife in the corridor.
Snoqualmie Pass
• Construct tunnels or
bridges and other
measures to eliminate
avalanche closures
along Keechelus Lake
Hyak
One of several design alternatives being
considered along Keechelus Lake
• Expand chain on/off areas
to improve operations and increase
safety
Existing
Snowshed
•Widen median to provide
areas for snow storage and
storm water treatment and
to improve safety by
increasing sight distance
• Reduce rock fall hazards by
stabilizing slopes and
expanding ditches
• Replace deteriorating pavement
with new pavement designed for
a life of 40 years
• Widen the road from 4 to 6 lanes
• Straighten curves and increase
design speed to improve safety
and operation
• Construct wildlife crossings at
special emphasis areas
• Replace bridges at interchanges
to provide adequate vertical
clearance
N
Easton
• Lengthen truck climbing lanes to
improve operations by providing
greater acceleration length for trucks
1-90 Snoqualmie Pass East
Hyak to Keechelus Dam
The 2005 Transportation Partnership Funding Package provides $387.7
million of funding toward design and construction of this project.
Snoqualmie
Pass
Existing
Chain -on Area
Existing
Chain -off Area
Expanded
Chain -off Area
Expanded
Chain -on Area
Legend
• Replace and widen 4 lanes of
deteriorating pavement with 6
lanes of new pavement
• Construct primary connectivity
structure (bridge) at Gold Creek
• Construct expanded crossing
structures (small bridges or large
culverts) at water/wildlife crossings
• Expand chain-on/off areas to improve
operations and increase safety
• Removal of existing pavement
EM • Milepost Marker
• Construct bridges to reduce
avalanche closures along
Keechelus Lake
• This section of the project is where the
design alternatives differ most.
• This scenario represents alternative two of the
four alternatives detailed on the following page.
All four alternatives are being equally considered
in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
• Straighten curves and
increase design speed
to 70 mph to improve
safety and operation
• Construct tunnels to reduce
avalanche closures. Straighten
alignment and increase design
speed to 70 mph to improve
safety and operation
• Reduce rockfall hazards
by stabilizing slopes,
realignment of roadway,
and expanding ditches
1-90 Snoqualmie Pass East:
Keechelus Lake Alignment Alternatives
In addition to the no -build alternative, a range of build alternatives are presented for
evaluation in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Four alternative alignments are
presented for the segment of roadway along Keechelus Lake. The primary differences
between these alternatives are in the degree of protection from avalanche and rockfall, the
amount of curvature in the road which affects the speed at which the road can safely be
driven, and costs for construction, maintenance, and operations.
Alternative 1 — Long Tunnels
Alternative 2 — Short Tunnels
Proposed
Bridge
Unstable
Slope
Existing Proposed
Snowshed Bridge
Proposed
Bridge
Features:
•Twin three -lane tunnels,
1.9 miles long
•AII 70+ mph curves
Alternative 3 — Westbound Only Tunnel
Slide
Curve
Features:
•Twin three -lane tunnels,
0.6 miles long
• Six -lane bridge to bypass
avalanche chutes at snowshed
•All 70 mph curves
1 ,hr fleet heltis
Alternative 4 — Shoreline Alignment
Existing Proposed
Snowshed Bridge
Features:
• Single three -lane tunnel,
0.6 miles long
• Six -lane bridge to bypass
avalanche chutes at snowshed
•Avalanche retention fence on
Slide Curve
• Mostly 70 mph curves and a
few 65 mph curves
Features:
• Six -lane bridge to bypass
avalanche chutes at snowshed
•Avalanche retention fence on
Slide Curve
• Some 70 mph curves and
some 60 mph curves
1996
• Hyak to Ellensburg Corridor Study — May 1996
Identification of problems, conceptual solutions, and early estimates for this 1-90 corridor
1-90 Snoqualmie Pass East — Project Timeline
•1997
• Planning Analysis for first section, Hyak to Easton — October 1997
Further study to determine the feasibility of initial solution concepts
998
Begin engineering investigations for Hyak to Easton
Early engineering analysis and survey work (photogrammetry, bathymetry of
Keechelus Lake, LIDAR terrain mapping, geotechnical investigations)
• Early public meetings — April 1999
Hyak to Easton Route Feasibility Study — October 1999
Investigation of alternate corridor route possibilities
• Begin Hyak to Easton environmental document — December 1999
Notice of Intent publication for Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
• Public scoping meetings — February 2000
Begin environmental discipline studies (air, water,
01 noise, etc.) — July 2000
loll
Study alternatives selected — July 2002
Project title changed to "1-90 Snoqualmie Pass East." Screening process completed. Remaining
alternatives to be included in 1-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
■ Additional refinement of study alternatives and supplemental analysis
New Funding
The 2005 Transportation
Partnership Funding Package
provides $387.7 million to
construct the first five miles,
Hyak to Keechelus Dam. The
main source for the package
is a 9.5¢ increase in the gas
tax, phased in over four years.
" Washington's Future Just Got Better"
MAKING
EVERY
DOLLAR
COUNT.
2005
TRANSPORTATION
PARTNERSHIPS
PROJECT
■ DEIS circulation and comment period
ir Hold DEIS public hearings — Summer 2005
Recommend Preferred Alternative late 2005
■ Begin Preliminary Engineering of preferred alternative
• Publish Final Environmental Impact Statement and Issue Record of Decision — Summer 2006
20076:04
Ite''' Contract Preparation
Design and prepare contract plans and obtain
Right of way and federal lands easement
Public Hearing Dates/Locations
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
June 29 Ellensburg Inn, Ellensburg
June 30 Summit Inn, Snoqualmie Pass
July 7 South Lake Union Complex, Seattle
2008
2009 4'6
09
e�e''� Begin construction Hyak to Keechelus Dam — Spring 2011
Construction estimated to take a minimum of five years, depending on
preferred alternative, funding allocation, and scheduling conditions
For More Information:
Randall Giles, PE, Project Manager
WSDOT — South Central Region
P.O. Box 12560
Yakima, WA 98909-2560
Phone: 1-888-535-0738
E-mail: I90Snoq@wsdot.wa.gov
www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/190SnoqualmiePassEast/
Jpdated June 2005
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No.
For Meeting of July 19, 2005
ITEM TITLE: Resolution of the Yakima City Council supporting the 1-90,
Snoqualmie Pass Project by the Washington State Department of
Transportation.
SUBMITTED BY: K. Wendell Adams, City Engineer
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: K. Wendell Adams, 575-6111
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The 1-90, Snoqualmie Pass Project has recently been presented at several public
hearings and at the Yakima City Council meeting on July 5, 2005. The City of Yakima
desires to support the purpose and need for this project to enhance the transportation
corridor between Seattle and the City of Yakima. This resolution encourages the
surrounding areas of the State to promote this project as an important improvement
necessary for the vitality of the Yakima area.
Resolution X Ordinance Contract Other (Specify)
Mail to:
Funding Source: N/A
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Pass Resolution.
Resolution adopted. RESOLUTION NO. R-2005-113
COUNCIL ACTION: