Date:  Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Contact: Mike Westbay, WSDOT communications, 509-577-1617 (Yakima)
Moe Davari, WSDOT project engineer, 509-222-2402 (Pasco)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Construction starts on US 12 safety project in Burbank

BURBANK –Construction begins this week on a $22.3 million interchange project that improves safety and enhances economic vitality in Walla Walla County.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), along with Selland Construction Inc., of Wenatchee, will start building a new interchange bridge at the junction of US 12 and State Route 124. An additional new overpass bridge to be built at Humorist Road will allow county road traffic to cross safely over US 12.

Together, the new interchange and overpass will provide safer traffic flow for the 16,000 vehicles per day on US 12. The improvements on US 12 will reduce collisions associated with highway intersections. The work will eliminate slowing and stopping for red lights, allow traffic to travel uninterrupted at 60 mph and separate slow-moving cross-traffic on SR 124 and Humorist Road.

Crews also will build two roundabouts and a new county road connecting Jantz Road to Fifth Street. Other improvements include a new sidewalk on Fifth Street, a new pedestrian path from Burbank to the Snake River, turn lanes on SR 124 and a new entrance to Hood Park.

Preliminary work began March 9 when contractor crews relocated irrigation pipes before irrigation season started March 10. Work is scheduled to be complete in the spring of 2012.

WSDOT Regional Administrator Don Whitehouse said the safety project is possible thanks to the cooperation of the US Highway 12 Coalition Partners, Walla Walla County, the US Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Port of Walla Walla and the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Work is funded by the 2005 gas tax approved by the state Legislature. WSDOT offers several ways for drivers to get up-to-date information about the project:
• Get weekly construction updates: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthCentral/Construction/
• Visit the project website www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/us12/sr124burbankinterchange/
• Dial 511.
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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 511.
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