WSDOT Projects

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Project Facts

• Average daily traffic in the corridor ranges from 7,000 to 13,000 vehicles. Heavy trucks and recreational vehicles make up as much as 33% of the traffic stream.
• The expansion of US 12 to four lanes from SR 124 to Walla Walla River near Wallula is the number one transportation priority of the Benton, Franklin, and Walla Walla County Good Roads and Transportation Association.
  
• This section of US 12 carries over ten million tons of freight each year.

This multi-phase project consists of seven construction phases and a planning phase. The construction portion will widen the US 12 corridor to four lanes from the SR 124 junction to the Walla Walla River. The planning phase will determine the preferred alignment for Highway 12 from the Wallula Junction near the Walla Walla River to Walla Walla.

Why is WSDOT widening US 12?
Constructing a four lane divided highway will reduce congestion and intersection related accidents. The average daily traffic on this route ranges from 7,000 to 13,000 vehicles.  As many as 33% of the vehicles are heavy trucks. Over ten million tons of cargo travel this section of US 12 each year. Slow moving trucks and recreational vehicles impede the flow of traffic on this two-lane facility.

Our Partners
This project is the result of local agencies, businesses, and WSDOT coming together to address transportation issues related to the area. Each partner has provided financial and political support for a safer, less congested roadway that will enhance the economic vitality of the area.

The End Result
US 12 will be a four-lane divided highway for 40 miles from the junction of SR 124 to Walla Walla. Bridges will be widened and new bridges constructed to accommodate the new lanes. Intersections will be improved by the addition of right and left turn lanes. Currently there are two lanes; when these projects are completed, there will be four lanes.

Project Benefits

• Safety. Providing a four-lane divided highway greatly enhances safety for this corridor. Traffic will be separated by a median or concrete barrier. Access to US 12 will be limited to channelized county road intersections.
  
• Congestion relief. WSDOT’s computer modeling estimates there will be at least one hour each day of heavily congested conditions between Tri-Cities and Wallula by the year 2020. By comparison, if the project were built, we would see zero hours a day of congestion through 2020. To learn more about WSDOT's congestion relief efforts visit the WSDOT Congestion Relief site.
  
• Environment. WSDOT completed an environmental assessment for this corridor to identify the potential impacts to the natural and human communities. This project required careful attention to design as it passed through and affected several federally managed sensitive resource lands including: the McNary National Wildlife Refuge, the Two Rivers Peninsula Habitat Management Unit (HMU), the Wallula Habitat Management Unit, and the Madame Dorian Park. Several strong partnerships were developed with state and federal agencies in order to address the substantial environmental challenges of this corridor improvement project.
  

What is the project timeline?
• SR 124 to McNary Pool
Construction began on this section in January 2005.  This section was complete and open to traffic in November 2005.
 
• McNary Pool to Attalia
Construction began on this four mile section in May 2003.  This section was complete and open to traffic ahead of schedule in August, 2004.
 
• Attalia Vicinity
Construction on this phase was started in July of 2006.  The improved highway was open to traffic September 2007.
 
• Wallula Junction to Walla Walla Corridor Study
This study to evaluate alternatives and determine the final location for continuing the four-lane alignment of US 12 from Wallula to Walla Walla is scheduled to be completed by 2009.

• Attalia Vicinity to US 730
WSDOT has identified a northerly corridor that eliminates the need for this Phase 5 widening project and will use the remaining Phase 5 funding to evaluate the ultimate connection between US 12 and US 730.

• Frenchtown Vicinity to Walla Walla
Construction began March 2008, and the new highway is expected to open to traffic in fall 2009.

• SR 124 Burbank Interchange Improvements
This phase is currently in the design stage, with construction scheduled to begin in 2010.

Public Involvement
WSDOT will hold an open house (pdf 139 kb) to discuss Phases 7 & 8 at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at Touchet School.

An open house to discuss the plans for the Burbank Interchange project was held in October 2006 at the Columbia Middle School.

An open house to discuss Phase 6 of this project was held in June 2006 at the Walla Walla Airport.

Two informational open houses were held in Burbank and Walla Walla in May of 2005. Displays of preliminary designs and other information were shared.

Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Contact the project design office for more detailed project information.

Environmental Protection
Mitigation elements of this project include:
 
•  The creation of a new 24-acre wetland mitigation pond 
 
•  A new and improved recreational boat launch / parking area / public access road.  
 
•  Opening approximately 100 acres of previously unavailable aquatic habitat to seven species protected by the Endangered Species Act,  which provides an opportunity for ecological connectivity across US 12 between the McNary Refuge and the Two Rivers Peninsula HMU.
 
•  The construction of approximately 3000 feet of undulating near-shore riparian zone. 

The first phase of this corridor improvement project, McNary Pool to Attalia Vicinity, crossed the most environmentally sensitive area and completed all the required mitigation for the entire corridor.  The planning 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 maneuverability and safety. The present value of safety benefits over 20 years is estimated to be $14.7 million.

Will this project impact tribal resources?
WSDOT works with tribal officials to identify and minimize adverse impacts to areas of cultural, archeological or anthropological significance. When applicable, we address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.

For this twelve mile corridor, WSDOT will consult with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation, the Yakama Nation, the Wanapum Tribe, and the Nez Perce Tribe through the formal consultation process of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison Web site.

Financial Information
This multi-phase project is funded through the following sources:

• 2005 Transportation Partnership Package 
• 2003 Nickel Funding Package
• Existing Funds

The Washington State Legislature has made funding available over the next ten years to complete this twelve mile corridor improvement and develop a plan for the 30 miles from Wallula Junction to Walla Walla. 

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Assistant Regional Administrator for Planning & Programming, Troy Suing
WSDOT South Central Project Office
PO Box 12560
Yakima, WA 98909
Phone: 509-577-1626
E-mail:SuingT@wsdot.wa.gov

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