Overview
Widened US 12 to a four-lane divided highway with intersection improvements from SR 124 to Attalia. The intersection with SR 124 was updated and a new signal was installed. A new signal was installed at Humorist along with acceleration and deceleration lanes to improve the safety of the intersection. Maple Street and Basin Drive are both closed and frontage roads were constructed to provide access to Humorist and Hanson Loop.
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.
 | Improves Safety
Providing a four-lane divided highway greatly enhances safety for this corridor. Opposite direction traffic is separated by a median or a concrete barrier. Access to US 12 is limited to channelized county road intersections. Installing a traffic signal and channelization at the US 12/SR 124 intersection provide safer conditions for crossing the highway.
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 | Relieves Congestion
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, with the completion of the project, we will see zero hours a day of congestion through 2020. To learn more about WSDOT's congestion relief efforts visit the WSDOT Congestion Relief site.
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 | Protects 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.
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Partnerships & Cooperation
WSDOT worked with tribal officials to identify and minimize adverse impacts to areas of cultural, archeological or anthropological significance. When applicable, we addressed 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 the twelve mile corridor from SR 124 to the Wallula junction, 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.
Funding
| Financial Data for PIN 501204C |
| Funding Source |
Amount ($ in thousands) |
| 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) |
$11,688 |
| 2005 Gas Tax (TPA) |
$0 |
| Pre-Existing Funds (PEF) |
$404 |
| Total |
$12,092 |
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Contact Us
Project Engineer, Will Smith
WSDOT South Central Region Project Office
PO Box 12560
Yakima, WA 98909
Phone: 509.577.1844
E-mail:SmithW@wsdot.wa.gov
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