Everett, Wash.
Published: Tuesday, June 16, 2009

U.S. 2 repaving begins at Monroe

Federal stimulus money is paying for most of the $2.1 million cost.

By Bill Sheets
Herald Writer

 MONROE -- Work starts today on repaving U.S. 2 between Sultan and Monroe, the first project to begin in Snohomish County with federal economic stimulus money.

Crews will lay down about 5 miles of asphalt between the east end of Monroe and the west end of Sultan, with the work lasting through the end of the year.

The project also will include the addition of rumble strips on the center line and shoulders of the dangerous roadway, which has seen several fatal accidents in recent years.

"I'm pretty excited about it because it shows progress and it's something tangible and it's badly needed," Monroe Mayor Donnetta Walser said.

Work will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday nights. Drivers should expect delays from single-lane closures during those times.

The $2.1 million project was originally scheduled for 2013, but the state Department of Transportation began two years ago to move it up because the highway's pavement has been deteriorating, said Meghan Soptich, a spokeswoman for the Transportation Department. The stretch of roadway was last repaved in 1993.

Gov. Chris Gregoire did not include the work in her proposed budget for 2009-10. But when the stimulus money became available in February, the Transportation Department recommended the Sultan-Monroe project be included.

In all, Snohomish County received $31 million in stimulus money for 16 road and highway projects. The state overall received $671 million for transportation, with possibly more on the way.

Of the $2.1 million for the repaving, only $100,000 is state money, with the rest coming from the federal government.

The project is one of many in the state that is coming out less expensive than anticipated. The work was expected to cost $4.6 million, but state engineers trimmed the cost before the project was advertised for bids, Soptich said. Then the low bid came in 36 percent below the estimate.

So far, 15 state road projects financed with stimulus money have come in well under bid, saving the state about $10 million. That money is going into a pot and can be applied to other projects in the future, Soptich said. Contracts are expected to be awarded by the end of this month for work on the remainder of 147 road projects around the state.

The U.S. 2 paving is being done by Lakeside Industries of Monroe, which submitted the low bid.

The smoother pavement will cut down on maintenance costs and lane closures needed to fill potholes and smooth out rough spots, Soptich said.

It also keeps drivers from hitting those potholes with their cars.

"Any time we give people a smoother ride it does enhance safety," Soptich said.



Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439; sheets@heraldnet.com.

Ceremony this morning

A groundbreaking ceremony for the repaving of U.S. 2 between Sultan and Monroe is planned for 8 a.m. today at the Lakeside Industries Monroe plant, 14953 Galaxy Way.

Monroe Mayor Donnetta Walser, Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick and state transportation officials are scheduled to attend.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA