SR 14 open in both lanes for weekend

Weekly ODOT report on any coming traffic impacts from rockfall abatement work along SR14 in Washington:

“Work and lane closures on SR 14 near Dog Mountain (milepost 54) have been cancelled for Friday, July 30. Both lanes of SR 14 will be open to traffic Friday and over the weekend.

Find this information on the Web by visiting our SR 14 Rockfall Mitigation project traffic impact schedule.

What if beach access went bye-bye? Would visitors follow suit?

Washington has wrestled with parks funding in the past. In the current economic climate, state officials are again taking a look at the possibility of closing some state parks, including three very popular with visitors to the Gorge during the summer — the Spring Creek Hatchery, Doug’s Beach and Maryhill.

According to the Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association, a 2007 poll of 580 Gorge windsurfers showed that the Hatchery ranked the highest in use among Gorge beaches, followed by Doug’s Beach at 2nd and Maryhill at 6th.

This would be a kick in the teeth to the Gorge economy. No place to play? No reason to stay.

Learn more about how important these sites are to windsports fans, and some of the numbers behind the issue, in a report by Katie Crafts of the Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association.

Hwy 14 closures status for week of July 18-24

Status report from Washington Department of Transportation for SR 14 work — and closures — between Bingen and Home Valley.

“Crews continue drilling and rock bolt installation above SR 14 just east of Dog Mountain. Rock bolts help stabilize slopes by transferring the burden of weight from the exterior of the rock mass to its confined, more stable interior. They can also help support cable netting draped over the rock face.

Traffic impacts for the week of July 19-23:

Dog Mountain (milepost 54)

Monday, July 19 – Friday, July 23: Daytime traffic reduced to a single lane, alternating directions with flaggers from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expect delays of up to 20 minutes.

White Salmon (milepost 64)

No scheduled traffic impacts.

Find this information on the Web by visiting our SR 14 Rockfall project traffic impact schedule.

If you’re traveling into WA from Hood River …

You should know about several highway construction projects planned for SR 14 by the Washington Department of Transportation. They’re going to be working to reduce rockfall risk near Dog Mountain, and between the Hood River Bridge terminus and the White Salmon River bridge, at different times.

Here’s the latest news and linkages from them for next week:

Traffic impacts for the week of March 8-12, 2010

• March 8-12: Daytime single lane and shoulder closures at Dog Mountain (mile post 54) and White Salmon (mile post 64) for construction preparation work. Drivers should expect 10 minute delays.
• March 10-12, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.: Full closure of SR 14 just east of Dog Mountain (mile post 54) for rock blasting and scaling work.
• March 10-12, 6 p.m.-4 p.m.: During non-working hours, traffic will be reduced to a single lane, alternating directions with traffic signal at Dog Mountain (mile post 54) and White Salmon (mile post 64). Drivers should expect up to five minute delays.

Find this information on the Web by visiting our SR 14 Rockfall Mitigation Weekly Traffic Impact Schedule or at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic.