US 12 - Wallula to Walla Walla Corridor Study

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending March 2009

Project Title & Location
US 12 – Phase 4, Walla Walla to Wallula Planning Study, Walla Walla County

Project Description
This planning study will prepare initial environmental documentation to determine the preferred corridor alignment for US 12 from the Wallula junction to Walla Walla, addressing congestion and safety needs for the highway.

Contractor/Consultant
David Evans and Associates has been retained to prepare the Environmental Resource Reports. 

Recent Progress
WSDOT continues to refine the alignment, profile, intersection, and interchange designs.  An alignment change was developed and implemented to minimize our impacts on the Gary and Gene Banks Farm.

WSDOT and David Evans and Associates (DEA) have finished most of the field studies and have sent draft Resource Reports to WSDOT for review. 

Design Construction Impacts
Changes to the seismic codes have created an increase in cost for the bridges from $300/sq ft to $600/sq ft.  A VE/CRA study is proposed to review the bridges over the four canyons and the design of Phase 7 to improve the concepts for design and/or reduce the dollar amounts in the estimates.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance
An Habitat Connectivity Team was formed to investigate possible impacts to wildlife along the Phase 8 corridor.  The Team consists of biological experts from County, State, and Federal agencies.

Impacts to Traffic

Project Milestones Scheduled Attained Milestone Outlook
Start Scoping Oct 03 Sep 03 Scoping started one month early.
Start IPT Jan 04  Jan 04 Team started on schedule.
Finish Level 1 Analysis Aug 06  Sept 06  
Environmental Document June 09 The level 1 analysis determined that an EA is the likely form of environmental documentation. 
     
Project Cost Summary: Dollars in
millions
Percent
of Total

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)
Project Expenditure Chart

Preliminary Engineering $5.5 100 %
Right-of-Way
Construction
Funded Project Costs $5.5 100 %

Nickel funds included in above costs

$2.6 47 %

2005 Transportation Partnership Account

  For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects

Kerry Grant, WSDOT Project Engineer
(509) 577-1760 or grantk@wsdot.wa.gov
Project Cost Summary and Scheduled Project Milestones reflect the April 2008 Approved Legislative Budget.