This week - July 25-29th

It will be a slow week on the west half of Yelm Highway, but not so much on the east side as crews continue to install sewer connections to individual properties.  Otherwise work is the usual, pouring miscellaneous curb and sidewalks, sound/retaining wall installation. Pedestrians, please use care when traversing these areas, and follow the guidance of the folks in orange. They are there for your safety too.

Upcoming

However!  Hopefully preparation for paving the Boulevard intersection will begin with the demolition of the intersection on August 8th and grading during that week, followed by (another hopefully) paving on August 15th and 16th. (Disclaimer:Remember that paving is weather, and other condition, dependent.)

The biggest hurdle at the moment is with the Sewer Pump Station, and taking the steps to bring it on-line.  Crews are working with the City of Olympia to switch the existing sewer systems over to the new system without much of a stink.

 Crews will, with detailed care, verify the odor control systems are functioning properly, and then begin switching over the old systems to the new one. 

This Week In Review (and Next Week's Plan)

This Week in Review

Sanitary Sewer

The contractor has run some more sewer lines to individual properties between Boulevard and Rich Rd, as well as finalizing the sanitary sewer manholes between Henderson and Brassfield by applying a coat of light blue epoxy (by Molecular Inc.) to their inside surface.  This was necessary to prevent the concrete from being dissolved due to the natural production of acetic acid  by the organisms which break down the solid waste, but also makes the insides more visible for maintenance.  My does it look pretty!.....until its used that is.

As for the pump station itself, it's ready to be turned on and "all systems are go" as the saying goes.  It's just waiting for the coatings to dry and the final list to be checked off.

Sound/Retaining Wall

So far, most of the walls constructed have been for sound reduction in the surrounding neighborhoods, so here's a photo of one of the retaining walls in action across from Brassfield!

Boulevard Roundabout

You keep hearing about this over and over, (kind of like the Yelm Hwy project) but when is it going to take place?  With those pesky utility conflicts fixed the contractor has just today moved on to installing some remaining stormwater structures at the intersection which they previously couldn't.  When you ask?  Well, in reality the contractor is picking up where it left off, so it looks like a tentative date of August 9th.

Next Week

Most of the major work will be between Boulevard and Rich Rd installing storm water structures, but as always, crews will be installing sidewalk, curb,  and Sound/Retaining walls between Henderson and Boulevard.

There also may be a bit of working going on at the Rich Rd. intersection trying to chase down an old and buried stormwater system and figure out where it goes; no sense in plugging up a perfectly good drainage system!


As an added bonus, here are two photos from last week's paving:

Paving Finished for a while, and other matters

The first lift of asphalt has been placed between Henderson and Boulevard, but be careful, there are areas that have abrupt edges and sections of gravel.  Please follow the speed limit for your safety and that of the workers.

Boulevard to Rich Rd

The contractor will continue running smaller sewer lines from the main line in the center of the roadway to individual properties for this week and the next several weeks until completed.  This will likely reduce traffic flow to one-way during the course of the work, and will be in various locations between Boulevard and Rich Rd.

Boulevard and Log Cabin Rd Intersection

Puget sound energy will be out on Wednesday July 20th hooking up power to what is called a Remote Chemical Feed Station.  This facility provides chemicals to the sewer line, keeping down the stinky smells that would otherwise be pretty foul.  This work should be off the main roadway, but please beware of worker and vehicles in that location.

Other Construction Activities

As usual, the contractor will be constructing more of those missing sections of sidewalk and curb that had to be left out due to the many, many structures, pipe etc. that are in the way.  While the majority of the concrete could be poured and formed quickly such as with a curb machine, these locations take much more hand work and care to ensure a safe walking surface.There will be miscellaneous work on the manholes and sewer system, and side sewer installation east of Boulevard Road.

Tired of cones?  You will soon be seeing less of those as the road signs are put into place, especially those in the roundabouts. 

Work continues on the illumination system with mostly underground work.

It may seem that we mention very few construction activities going on during any week, but be assured, the above construction work is the tip of the iceberg; there is much more going on behind the scenes and off the road to reduce the traffic flow.

Work is continuing on the wall construction adjacent to Sten Village and across from the sewer pump station at Brassfield.




Thank you to Project Coordinator Theresa Parsons, and Engineering Intern David Hall for their contributions to this blog.

Paving Update, Monday, July 18th

Mother Nature threw us a curve ball over the weekend, just to prove that she was still in charge. However, the tenacious Yelm Highway crew from Miles Construction & Thurston County Public Works refuse to be beaten. They will pave today (Monday) and tomorrow to finish what was planned for Saturday and Monday. Paving will be on Yelm Highway from Brassfield to Boulevard, and also on Brassfield.

Sadly, this will mean long delays for the driving public if you have to use Yelm Highway for your commute. We have supplied a map with alternate routes (Link to the right), but if you cannot avoid the area, remember that the contractor will be on the road from 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM both days, and delays to traffic could be well beyond 30 minutes.  Some driveways will be blocked for short periods while the asphalt cures (See our earlier posts on the paving). Additionally, there is sewer work going on east of Boulevard.



We understand that this is an inconvenience and truly appreciate your cooperation. If you have questions about the project, feel free to contact us via our email contacts, Theresa Parsons, Coordinator or Webmaster . 

Special Update for Saturday, July 16

Due to the weather, the contractor is not able to pave today. There is a small crew on site doing some grading work, so please watch for them. Paving work is planned for Monday, weather permitting.

Paving set to go!

The contractor plans to pave Friday and Saturday, with additional paving on Monday. This will cause extreme backups and traffic delays in the work zone from Boulevard to Henderson and extending beyond both ends of the area. Project staff is advising that you avoid the area if at all possible. Access to businesses and homes in the area will be unavoidably affected during the paving operation, but these interruptions will be kept to as short a time as possible. Hot asphalt requires time to cool before traffic can be allowed to travel on it to prevent damage to the newly applied surface.

Here is the preliminary plan as it stands as of this morning:

 

Paving will start at Henderson and travel east to Brassfield.  That section will be done Friday, and it will require at least 4 passes to cover the complete width of the road.

 

Then they will move from Brassfield east and plan on paving in front of the daycare on Saturday so that it will minimize access impacts to the daycare.

 

On Monday a smaller amount of asphalt will be put in place to finish up the first lift of asphalt from Henderson to Boulevard.

 

The final lift of asphalt will occur later, likely in the early fall.

If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact the project coordinator Theresa Parsons

The link to our alternate routes map is available at the right. If you must travel through the area, please allow at least 30 to 60 minutes additional travel time (estimated only) and please be prepared for extended waits. There will be traffic control personnel in place to guide you through the work zone.

Thurston County Public Works & Miles Construction thank you for your patience.

Good News & Bad News

The good news is, the contractor is tentatively planning to lay down the first lift (layer) of asphalt from Henderson to Boulevard next Friday and Saturday.  This is, of course, weather, and other conditions permitting, but we wanted to let you know well in advance. 

"What's the bad news?", you ask. "How can there be any bad news? They are PAVING!!!"  


Well, here's the deal...


There will be delays... and they won't be short. In fact, they will be really, REALLY long. In our scale of Green to Black the delay condition will be, ( Hold on while I look up what is darker than BLACK...)  well.. you get the idea. Please take advantage of our alternate routes in your travel planning for those days.


Also, some driveways will be closed while the asphalt cures enough to be able to support the weight of a vehicle. Depending (again) upon the weather, this can take a bit of time. Please heed any directions given by the contractor's crew to make sure their efforts aren't disturbed.


We will provide you with more information toward the end of the week.
 

A Little Courtesy

As you are driving through the work zone on Yelm Highway, there will be times when you will be stopped for extended periods while traffic is confined to a single lane. When you do need to stop please make sure you are leaving enough space between you and the next vehicle for cars to enter the various driveways that lead to the residences and businesses throughout the work zone and also please try to not block those driveways when you stop.


We understand that this is not always possible, but our staff and the business owners and residents along Yelm Highway, and guests and patrons of those businesses and residents would be truly grateful if you could give it a shot whenever you could.  Also remember, it is always illegal to stop in an intersection. If you cannot make it all the way through the intersection, stop prior to entering it.


Just a reminder, the contractor will be working in the roadway on Saturday, July 9th. Please plan to avoid the work zone if possible in your travels.

Update July 7th, 2011

NOTE: CONTRACTOR IS WORKING FRIDAY AND SATURDAY (JULY 8th & 9th)

During this short week the contractor has made excellent progress pulverizing the roadway, all the way from Henderson to Brassfield.  The majority of the old asphalt was removed seperately from the underlying rock and sent back to the asphalt mixing plant where it will be re-used as new asphalt.  Although this is guaranteed to slow down traffic due to a rougher surface and less driving lanes, the contractor will be working this Friday and Saturday to help speed up completion of the work.

A small fact:  Wondering what color was chosen for the sound/retaining walls?  A: Washington Gray.

Other Interesting Information:

The Sewer Pump Station has completed its installation and is undergoing preliminary testing with final testing set for next week. 

Boulevard Roundabout:  The schedule is now looking like it will begin 7/25 or 8/1.  Stay tuned!

July 5th Update

note: The contractor will be working Saturday July 9th.


The contractor is pulverizing (grinding) the roadway from Henderson to Brassfield Dr today. They will continue this work through the 8th of July when they reach Boulevard Rd.  The mainline sewer work is nearing Rich Rd and its completion.  There will be a crew working on the Remote Chemical Feed Station near Indian Summer as well.  The subcontractor continues to install the sound wall near Brassfield Dr SE.