Project Title & Location

Attalia Vicinity – Add Lanes – Tri-Cities

(Phase 3)

MP 302.14 to MP 305.49

Project Description
Attalia Vicinity is the third phase of five phases that will reconstruct US 12 as a four lane divided highway from SR 124 to the Walla Walla River, and develop a plan for future four-laning from Wallula to Walla Walla.

Contractor/Consultant
 Project not yet advertised or awarded. 

Recent Progress
Design work continues on the project.  Design of the railroad bridge is nearly complete.  The Findings and Order and Right of Way plans have been approved.  A Cost Risk Assesment (CRA) was performed for the project on April 21, 2005.  Open houses were held on May 11th in Burbank and May 12th in Walla Walla to discuss project status.

Design Construction Impacts

Our estimates indicate that this project will be over budget.  The CRA that was performed further validates this.  The project will require approximately $4.7 million more than was budgeted.   A change from the initial alignment was required to avoid a landfill site located on the Boise Cascade property.  In addition, a frontage road was needed due to the elimination of an intersection that serves Boise Cascade.  Both issues were not identified during scoping. Under-estimating of a few bid items along with escalation in construction costs accounts for the balance of the increase.

Our continued discussions and negotiations with Boise Cascade have resulted in positive changes to the project.  These changes will result in increased safety and operation of US 12 in this vicinity and will reduce overall costs to the project by utilizing material from Boise Cascade.  These changes, however, have delayed approval of the right of way plans which will affect property acquisition, railroad negotiations and utility relocations.  This will delay the Contract Advertisement to at least December 2005, but is not anticipated to impact the Open to Traffic date.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

There are no environmental impacts anticipated that would affect the delivery date.  To utilize the material source from Boise Cascade an additional environmental review and Walla Walla County permits will be required.  A JARPA is being prepared.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has confirmed that the "Talent Ruling" will not affect this project. 

Impacts to Traffic

We anticipate limited one-lane closures and brief delays to allow for the contractors'  truck operations during the construction phase.

The Contract Advertisement date will be delayed to at least December 2005.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account