The Daily Grind Construction Workers Smooth Ruts On I-90

A Minnesota construction worker says he’s never seen road ruts as bad as those on Interstate 90 in Spokane.

“They’re terrible,” said Dale LaRue, a superintendent for Highway Services Inc. “They’re caused by studded tires.”

That’s no surprise to Spokane drivers. This summer, construction projects aimed at either smoothing or replacing rough pavement are causing traffic delays in the Spokane area.

LaRue is heading a construction project to smooth the concrete eastbound lanes of the interstate from Division to Havana.

The grinding project should be finished in the next couple of weeks, said Al Gilson, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation. The concrete pavement was laid in 1956.

From downtown Spokane to Medical Lake, concrete pavement is being replaced along the eastbound lanes, and should be complete by Oct. 1.

The westbound lanes were replaced last year.

An I-90 project in the Spokane Valley will begin late this summer. Crews will replace the asphalt surface from the Pines exit to the Idaho state line.

While the work is a bother for drivers, it also can be dangerous for construction workers.

LaRue, who’s worked in construction for 18 years, said he always tries to stay aware of passing traffic. “You watch your back all the time,” he said.

One problem is drivers who swerve into the construction area and sideswipe trucks, sometimes tearing off mirrors, LaRue said. Another nuisance is curious people who drive into the construction area to get a closer look at workers and the machines.

To grind down the pavement east of Spokane, workers use a machine called a Cushion Cutter PC 5000.

Blades under the massive machines grind down the concrete. Tanker trucks carry water that is pumped into the machines in order to keep the blades cool.

Construction begins each day about 7 p.m. and goes into the early hours of the next morning.

Wayne Johnson, who operates a grinding machine, said he’s nervous as he works during the night, even though the traffic is lighter.

“Any minute they might be coming at you,” he said.

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