Project Facts
- An average of 18,000 vehicles currently travel this section of US 12 every day. By 2024, we estimate over 27,000 vehicles will pass through this portion of US 12.
- We estimate by 2024, over 10,000 vehicles a day will enter or leave US 12 at the Old Naches Highway.
- Currently a traffic signal controls movements at this intersection, with amber flashing warning lights east and west of the intersection.
September 2008
• Visit our booth at the fairs shown below to find out more about WSDOT projects.
Benton County Fair (August 19 - August 23)
Kittitas County Fair (August 28 - Sept. 1)
Central Washington State fair (Sept. 26 - Oct. 5)
• In order to balance the 2008 Supplemental Transportation Budget, the Washington State Legislature deferred further spending on this project out of the 16-year highway construction program.
Construction of a new interchange will remove the existing traffic signal, eliminate unexpected traffic stoppage, and reduce slowdowns on this 60 mph route. Intersection conflicts will be eliminated. Local cross traffic will have a safe route across the four-lane highway.
Why is WSDOT
building a new interchange?
US 12 is a major east-west transportation corridor, serving both regional and local traffic. Population growth and economic development in the Yakima area have caused increased traffic, accidents, and congestion at two existing intersections on US 12 west of Yakima. This project will reduce accidents and relieve congestion at the Old Naches Highway and Mitchel Road intersections with US 12.
The End Result
The new interchange will provide safer traffic flow and eliminate conflicts between high speed traffic on US 12 and local cross traffic on Old Naches Highway.
Project Benefits
- Safety - A daily average of 6,000 vehicles access US 12 at the Old Naches Highway; we estimate as many as 10,000 vehicles a day will be accessing US 12 at this intersection by the year 2024. By constructing an interchange to replace the signalized at-grade intersection, we expect to greatly reduce rear-end collisions and other intersection-related crashes.
- Congestion Relief - Currently, as many as 18,000 vehicles travel this section of US 12 each day. This number is estimated to rise to 27,000 vehicles a day by 2024.
What is the project timeline?
WSDOT will continue preliminary design and environmental work through June 2009. Funding for further work has been deferred beyond 2023.
Public Involvement
The last public meeting was held in late 2002. During the project design phase, additional public meetings will be scheduled. Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. To provide feedback on this project please contact the project design office.
Environmental Protection
An environmental assessment for the project will be completed to address potential environmental issues. As preliminary designs are refined, environmental issues will be evaluated and appropriate mitigation developed. WSDOT is committed to protecting the environment, and makes every effort to assess and minimize negative impacts from highway improvement projects.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
The present value of safety benefits over a 20 year period is estimated to be $20.5 million. Building the interchange will extend the limited access concept on US 12 from 40th Avenue through the Old Naches Highway intersection. US 12 is a designated rural bike touring route. This interchange construction project will also improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists by eliminating the conflicts at the intersection.
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. When applicable, we address any 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. WSDOT will consult with the Yakama Nation and the Wanapum Tribe during the design phase of this project. For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison website.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources*:
- 2003 Nickel Funding Package - $37.2 million
- Existing Funds - $1.3 million
- Total Funding Available from all sources - $38.5 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:
Development Branch Project Engineer, Jeff Minnick
WSDOT South Central Project Office
PO Box 12560
Yakima, WA 98909
Phone: 509.577.1704
E-mail:minnicj@wsdot.wa.gov
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