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 is nearly complete.  The plans and specifications are currenty in Region review.  Design of the railroad bridge is complete.  Work on railroad agreement continues.  We are partnering with the Port of Walla Walla and LeGrow Irrigation to perform irrigation line work that is needed for the project. 

Design Construction Impacts

A Cost

A Cost Risk Assessment performed in April drew together the cost implications of several factors affecting the project.  There are several bridges and other structures on the project whose estimated cost will be increased by the run-ups in construction material costs, especially steel and concrete.  In addition, Boise Cascade, one of the project abutters with whom discussions have been conducted about the alignment, has advised WSDOT of costly issues with the original proposed alignment that would have crossed a waste disposal and composting site leading to high costs for monitoring, possible remediation, and the risk of encountering unsuitable subsoils.  Alignment changes to respond to these concerns have produced an alignment with desirable safety and operational features, but with new right of way plan requirements as well as coordination issues with utilities and the railroad.  The advertisement date for the project has been delayed to January 2006 from October 2005.  Open to traffic date should not slip. The new projected cost of the project is $15.5 million as contrasted with the original estimate of $10.7 million.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

There are no environmental impacts anticipated that would affect the delivery date.   The additional environmental review to utilize the material source from Boise Cascade has been completed.  A Walla Walla County Conditional Use Permit has been approved.  The JARPA is out for issuance of permits.

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 January 2006.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account