ELMA – The Washington State Department of Transportation awarded Bellingham-based Pederson Bros. the contract for a safety project on State Route 8 in Grays Harbor and Thurston counties. The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds the $1.7 million project which installs high-tension cable barrier on the entire 20-mile stretch from Elma to US 101, increase safety for the 17,000 motorists who drive it daily.