Gov. Gregoire announces recovery funding contract to pave I-5 in Lewis County

For Immediate Release: May 15, 2009

CHEHALIS � Gov. Chris Gregoire and Washington Transportation Sec. Paula Hammond today announced the award of a $5.4 million construction contract to repave Interstate 5 in Lewis County. The contract was awarded this week to Lakeside Industries.

Washington State Department of Transportation added $3.58 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to an existing paving project. This three-month project will support an estimated 45 jobs.

�The additional recovery funding makes this important project possible,� said Gregoire. �This I-5 project will enhance the corridor in Lewis County, which is critical to smooth flow of people and freight.�

�This contract award brings us one step closer to construction and helping to employ workers in Lewis County,� said Hammond. �Our projects in Lewis and Cowlitz counties this summer will support over 100 jobs and repave nearly 32 miles through the I-5 corridor.�

This project paves both directions of I-5 between Koontz Road and Harrison Avenue in Lewis County. Eight miles of interstate will receive a new layer of asphalt in this 13-mile section of roadway, excluding the newly built and paved Rush Road to 13th Street project area.

Paving I-5 preserves the interstate�s road surface, reduces maintenance costs and improves safety and mobility for all drivers.

This project is scheduled for construction in June and expected to be complete in October. For more information, please visit the project Web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/pavementrehab/I5ChamberWaytoHarrison.

Washington state is administering the federal Recovery Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire created a new Web site (www.recovery.wa.gov) enabling every Washingtonian to see where their tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Barack Obama has appointed Vice President Joe Biden to oversee all states' recovery efforts and to root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are put to good use and recharge the economy.