Project Title & Location
US 12 - Naches River North of Yakima - Stabilize Slopes

Project Description
The area of US 12 along the Lower Naches River, near the 16th Avenue interchange, suffers from repetitive bank erosion and slope failures. Emergency work has been performed in this area four times since 1999. This project will correct this chronic environmental deficiency by moving the Naches River channel away from US 12, and construct a bio-engineered structure in the river to reduce future problems and protect the roadway and environment.

Contractor/Consultant
Project has not been advertised or awarded

Recent Progress
We are currently working with our partners (Yakima County, City of Yakima and Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife) to finalize the design. WSDOT has developed a simplified solution that remains within the construction budget and still maintains the original intent of the project to provide the necessary highway protection.

Design work is 60% complete. The Joint Aquatic Resource Permits Application (JARPA) wa submitted in April 2007.

Design Construction Impacts

The process of finalizing the design has required more effort than anticipated.  This increased effort will require an additional $50,000 in preliminary engineering funds to complete the design, which is included in the Governor's 2007 Supplemental Budget.  No increase in construction costs are anticipated. 

Recent nationwide price escalation for work and material and inflation has increased the overall cost of this project by approximately $798,000 over the $2.1 million budgeted.  This new cost has been submitted to the Governor's Office.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
Rejected as a fish enhancement project. Although this is an added element of risk, resource agencies have agreed to expedite processes to the greatest extent.

Impacts to Traffic
No impacts are anticipated at this time.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account