April 2012
- This project, referred to as Phase 7A, proposes rebuilding US Highway 12 as a four-lane divided highway, from the east side of Nine Mile Hill to just west of Woodward Canyon Road.
- WSDOT is preparing right-of-way plans and preliminary design.
- Funding is not yet available to acquire all of the right-of-way needed for the project.
Why is WSDOT
widening US 12 near Touchet?
This project is part of a corridor plan to widen US Highway 12 from the junction of the Snake River and SR 124 to Walla Walla. Since 1991, this corridor has experienced over 1,079 collisions causing 414 injuries; including 30 deaths. To date, all but 24 miles have been replaced or widened to four lanes.
Each year over ten million tons of cargo travel this section of US 12. Slow moving trucks and recreation vehicles create congestion on this two-lane section of the highway.
The End Result
Phase 7A of the corridor project widens US 12 from Nine Mile Hill to Woodward Canyon vicinity. This section of US highway 12 will be relocated north about one mile and constructed as a four-lane divided highway. When construction funding becomes available, WSDOT and a contractor will construct approximately five miles of new highway with straighter curves and two new intersections at Nine Mile Hill and Touchet North Road.
Project Benefits
- Increased safety. The proposed four-lane highway will increase safety by limiting the number of intersections on US 12 while separating opposing traffic with a median. Roadway curves will be straightened and two new channelized intersections allow safe access to and from the new roadway.
- Relieved congestion: A four-lane highway will improve traffic flow and provide an area for passing between two-lane sections of US 12.
- Freight Mobility: Building a four-lane highway will ease conflicts between slow moving trucks and passenger vehicles. Commercial trucks make up as much as 33 percent of the traffic stream, causing slowdowns and safety concerns.
What is the project timeline?
Limited funding is available to complete the design, begin contract plans, and to purchase a portion of the right of way needed for the project.
Financial Information
Funding for the design and a portion of the right of way for this project comes from the following sources:
- Federal Funding
Existing Federal - $5.1 million
- State Funding
Existing Funds - $0.2 million
- $2 million is available to begin purchasing right of way
- Estimated total project cost (design, right of way, construction) - $93 million
Construction for this project is not yet funded
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Kerry Grant, WSDOT Project Engineer
WSDOT South Central Project Office
P.O. Box 12560
Yakima WA 98909-2560
(509) 577-1760
E-mail:grantk@wsdot.wa.gov
Jason Smith, WSDOT Environmental Manager
P.O. Box 12560
Yakima, WA 98909-2560
Phone: (509) 577-1750
E-mail: smithjw@wsdot.wa.gov
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