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Project Title & Location
US 12 - SR 124 Intersection - Build Interchange
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Project Description
This project will construct a new interchange to reduce the risk of collisions at the busy intersection of US 12 and SR 124. Constructing the Burbank interchange will improve safety, decrease congestion, and enhance economic vitality for this area.
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Contractor/Consultant
Project has not been advertised or awarded.
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Recent Progress
WSDOT continues to work on acquiring land from the McNary Wildlife Refuge through purchasing the land directly (which requires congressional approval) or by purchasing other property which is suitable for a land exchange. Delays in the acquisition process may impact the project schedule.
Initial contacts have been made with Senator Murray’s staff seeking support for the direct purchase option and WSDOT will seek to partner with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Port of Walla Walla to pursue congressional approval.
Out of approximately 100 inquiry letters mailed to potential property owners for the land exchange, WSDOT has received 15 responses expressing interest in selling. WSDOT and USFWS reviewed these properties and reduced the list to 4 based on location, economic value, and biology. Negotiations with these willing sellers are under way.
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Design Construction Impacts
The total cost of the project could exceed current funding by approximately $10 to $12 million, as verified in the July 2006 Cost Risk Assessment. WSDOT believes many of the major cost risks may be overcome at this stage of the project and has not included this amount in the total project cost. These risks include modifying the design and environmental documentation to accommodate local community concerns over highway access and increased construction costs due to possible delays in the project schedule.
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Environmental Impacts / Compliance
Recent interchange design modifications will reduce environmental impacts.
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Impacts to Traffic
Detours and occasional one lane traffic are anticipated.
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