Phase 2 and 2A construction ends on-time and budget

Construction on the US 20 Project is coming to a close for 2013 and it has been a very successful construction season.

By taking an observational approach to engineering and construction---monitoring the effects of our work and adapting the information to our future plans--- we’re confident we’ll save money by pinpointing a precise need for future landslide mitigation construction.

To view additional construction photos, or to view a video of Phase 2 construction, visit the project website:  www.us20pme.com.

Horizontal Drains More than 468,000 linear feet of horizontal drains-or nearly 90 miles!!- have now been installed at 38 locations throughout the project corridor. In September, record rainfall totaled 10.1 inches at the site.  The horizontal drains reduced groundwater pressures by discharging 1.5 million gallons per day. By reducing groundwater pressures, we anticipate saving additional money in reduced landslide mitigation construction.

Culvert Installation   3,216 feet of 72-inch wide culvert was constructed and placed at four drainage locations where bridges had been previously planned.  The culvert will allow Cougar Creek, Crystal Creek, and Eddy Creek tributaries to flow beneath the new highway when it’s complete. It took 78,000 bolts to build the culverts.

Existing US 20 Safety Improvements We took important steps to make the existing US 20 safer while we continue construction on the new highway segment.  We realigned a very sharp curve east of Eddyville.  It’s now much easier and safer to maneuver through. We added vehicle-activated curve warning signs and two flashing beacon signs to alert motorists of sharp curves We replaced highway signs along a nine mile segment to meet the most current standards for visibility and reflective qualities. We updated safety pavement markings and added new striping on the roadway.

Fall, 2013

The Project

The US 20 PME:  UPRR to Eddyville project will replace a ten mile segment of old US 20 that has narrow lanes and hairpin curves, with a 5.5 mile segment that will be straighter, with wide shoulders and miles of passing lanes. 

Test Fills

By constructing test fills and monitoring them for ground water pressure and settlement, we have learned important information that can be used in future construction.  We will be excavating and placing 2-3 million cubic yards of embankment in Phase 3 construction. 

Ground Anchors

By constructing and testing ground anchors as a landslide mitigation technique, we have developed valuable knowledge of how successful they will be in stabilizing movement in cuts along the project route.  As a result, we’ve learned we won’t need as many as previously planned.  We now plan to place 275 to 300 ground anchors in the Eddy C area, and an additional 175-200 anchors at Cut 7.

Phase 3 Construction 2014-2016

Planning is on-track for Phase 3, a two-year phase of construction, with the contract to go to bid in spring of 2014.  Phase 3 will accomplish the following:

• 2-3 million cubic yards of earthwork
• Landslide mitigation
• Erosion control
• Landscaping

We remain on-track for the placement of traffic at the end of the 2016 construction season.