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Project Title & Location
US 12/SR 124 to McNary Pool – Add Lanes –
Tri-Cities (Phase 2) MP 295.2 to MP 299.3
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Project Description
This project is the second phase of five phases that will reconstruct US 12 as a four lane divided highway from SR 124 to the Walla Walla River, and plan for the future four-laning from the Wallula Junction to Walla Walla.
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Recent Progress
The Contractor began work on January 3, 2005. Roadway excavation including haul, embankment compaction, and placement of crushed surfacing are nearly complete and hot mix asphalt paving operations are scheduled to begin the week of March 28th.
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Design Construction Impacts
Construction has gone well so far. The Contractor presented a Cost Reduction Incentive Proposal (CRIP). The contract was set up to haul the bulk of the roadway excavation from the south end of the job and use it for embankment on the north end. The Contractor obtained the necessary permits and approvals to borrow material from Columbia School District and Port of Walla Walla property on the north end of the job, and to waste material on Bureau of Reclamation property on the south end. The Regional Environmental Office confirmed that the subject area was already covered under existing cultural and archaeological studies.
While the savings found were relatively modest, this was a worthwhile change in that WSDOT and the Contractor saved money, the Port and the School received wanted grading work on their property at virtually no cost and the traveling public benefited from reduced delays and inconvenience due to less hauling across public roads.
We anticipate additional costs based upon quantity changes. The primary reason is a substantial increase in crushed surfacing due to unanticipated loss of the rock in the sandy subgrade. The predicted additional costs should be covered by the contingency funding.
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Environmental Impacts / Compliance
An Environmental Assessment, a Section 106 study and a noise study were completed.
The US Army Corps of Engineers has confirmed that the "Talent Ruling" will not affect this project.
A National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit has been acquired for construction of this project.
Regional Construction staff, with support from Regional Environmental staff, continue to work with Contractor personnel to ensure compliance.
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Impacts to Traffic
Impacts to the traveling public have been minimal. Increased impacts are expected when mainline paving operations begin on US 12, particularly around the US 12 intersections with SR 124 and Humorist Road.
As planned, the intersections of US 12 with Maple Street and Basin Drive have been closed. Traffic that formerly used the Maple Street intersection now uses either Humorist Road or Grain Terminal Road. Traffic that formerly used the Basin Drive intersection now uses Hanson Loop Road and the new frontage road.
On February 1, 2005, the Columbia School District hosted a public meeting to discuss project related traffic impacts. WSDOT Construction and Design Project Engineers joined the Contractors Project Manager to present the project schedule, traffic impacts and to address concerns.
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