Project Facts
- The Port of Walla Walla and the US Highway 12 Coalition, an alliance of public and private organizations, have lobbied strongly for four- laning US 12 from SR 124 to Walla Walla.
- WSDOT has determined that it is more cost effective to build a new four-lane roadway than to add two lanes to the existing highway.
- Potential impacts to Madame Dorian Park make widening existing US 12 near the Walla Walla River difficult.
June 2008
- The US 12 Corridor Study (pdf 100 Kb) has identified a northerly corridor that eliminates the need for widening Phase 5.
- Improvements to be made at the junction of US 12 and US 730 are planned as part of the US 12 Corridor study.
Phase 5 was intended to complete the corridor from SR 124 junction to the Walla Walla River. This section of US 12 will likely become the northern section of US 730 and connect to the new US 12 north of Wallula. Visit US 12 Corridor Study for detailed information on the proposed northern alignment.
Why is WSDOT
not widening US 12 from Attalia to US 730?
The US 12 Corridor Study has determined that it is more feasible to build a northern four-lane alignment than to widen existing US 12 between Attalia Vicinity (Boise Cascade Paper Mill) and the Frenchtown vicinity.
The End Result
WSDOT will redesign the junction of US 12 and US 730. This section of US 12 will likely become the northern segment of US 730.
Project Benefits
- Safety - Constructing a four-lane divided highway is necessary to reduce congestion and intersection related accidents.
What is the project timeline?
WSDOT intends to complete the Environmental Documentation for US 12 from Wallula to the Frenchtown vicinity by June 2009. This section of US 12 as well as the junction of US 730 will be included in the analysis.
Public Involvement
An Open House was held January 9, 2008 in Touchet that showcased the proposed alignment between Wallula and the Frenchtown Monument. Approximately 125 people attended the Open House.
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Please contact the project design office for details on project involvement.
Environmental Protection
The US 12 Corridor Study for the Wallula Junction to Walla Walla portion will assess environmental impacts and develop the appropriate environmental documentation.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Commercial trucks make up as much as 33% of the traffic stream, causing slowdowns and safety concerns. Reconstructing US 12 as a four-lane divided highway will greatly increase traffic flow and safety.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
WSDOT works closely with tribal officials to identify and minimize adverse impacts to areas of cultural, archeological or anthropological significance. For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison Web site.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources*:
- 2003 Nickel Funding Package - $0.8 million
- Total Funding Available from all sources - $0.8 million
*As approved in the 2008 Supplemental Transportation Budget.
For project schedules and updates, please see the Quarterly Project Report.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Design Project Engineer,
Kerry Grant
WSDOT South Central Project Office
PO Box 12560
Yakima, WA 98909
Phone: 509.577.1760
E-mail:GrantK@wsdot.wa.gov
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