Project Title & Location
US 12/McDonald Road to Walla Walla - Add Lanes
Walla Walla County

Project Description
This project is phase six of eight phases that improve US 12 from SR 124 (Burbank) to Walla Walla. This approximately eight mile project will reconstruct US 12 from McDonald Road to Walla Walla as a four lane divided highway, with improved capacity and enhanced safety.

Contractor/Consultant
David Evans and Associates prepared the Resource Reports.  Landau and Associates is studying the springs near Pine Street. 

Recent Progress

WSDOT has modified the alignment at the west end of the project to balance highway safety, impacts to property owners, and preservation of historical resources.  WSDOT has received all of the required access hearing waivers for this revision.  Accordingly no formal Access Hearing will be required for this revision.

Design Construction Impacts

Recent cost escalations have increased the construction amount of this project.  A majority of these increases can be attributed to rising fuel prices and asphalt oil used to make hot mix asphalt pavement.  

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

The Environmental Assessment (EA) was published on May 15, 2006.  A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will be issued by August of this year.

Landau and Associates continues to collect flow and contamination data from the wells near Pine Street.

WSDOT continues to search for sites where we can mitigate the impacts to wetlands.  Single sites of sufficient area are proving hard to find.

Impacts to Traffic

A majority of the project work will take place away from existing roadways.  To keep traffic moving and increase safety at the Pine Street Intersection, WSDOT will construct a temporary detour which will allow traffic to maintain highway speeds.

Right of way certification is scheduled for October 2007.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account