Submitted by Thurston County
Thurston County Public Works officials are closing one lane of Mullen Road SE in order to protect the driving public. Water over the roadway has resulted in the traffic restriction.
Temporary stop lights will be placed at the impacted area so alternating traffic can pass under the trestle on Mullen Road just east of Afflerbaugh Drive SE. The water under the trestle is 3” in the east bound lane and 8” in the west bound lane. Sight distance is limited due to the alignment of the roadway and the railroad trestle. West bound cars are driving in the eastbound lane, into on-coming traffic, to avoid the high water.
Road Operations Manager Lucy Mills says the considerable rainfall we have had, has resulted in high ground water in the area. “From the start of the rainy season in October, through March 14, we have received 44 inches of rain. That is 18 inches above normal and has resulted in very high water levels in some areas, including Mullen Road.”
Crews have already placed many warning signs in the area and are asking drivers to reduce driving speed to 10 miles-per-hour.
Similar conditions have already caused a lane restriction on Hawks’ Prairie Road.
County Roads staff will monitor the water levels at both locations and will re-open the roads to two lanes as soon as it is safe to do so.
