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On
August 20, 2001 a group of public and private interests met to chart
a new comprehensive strategy designed to advance Walla Walla Valley’s
long sought after goal of four-laning U.S. Highway 12 from Burbank,
Washington to Walla Walla, Washington. As a result of this meeting,
the U.S. Highway 12 Coalition was formed.
The Coalition’s
first action was to retain the services of Ball Janik to work with
our congressional delegation as critical transportation authorization
and appropriation bills make there way through congress. In addition,
Ball Janik coordinates coalition member visitations to Washington,
DC to meet with congressional members and key congressional committee
staff.
The coalition
also made a commitment to develop comprehensive marketing materials
to articulate the safety and economic development justification
for four-laning U.S. Highway 12. This website is a product of the
coalition’s marketing efforts. Below in chronological order,
is a description of some of the coalition’s efforts and accomplishments.
| February
15, 2002 |
 Comprehensive
marketing materials unveiled. Includes Highway 12 logo, corridor
map, project information sheet, project action sheet and business
& citizen petition campaign.
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin:
(Feb. 17, 2002) - WW
project to four-lane U.S. 12 on track |
| February
27, 2002 |
| Port
of Walla Walla Commissioner Ken Jantz and Port Executive Director
Jim Kuntz travel to Washington, DC. Meetings held with:
Congressman
George Nethercutt
Senator Maria Cantwell
Senator Patty Murray |
| March
11, 2002 |
| City
of Walla Walla Mayor Jerry Cummins and City Manager Duane Cole
travel to Washington, D.C. Meetings held with: Congressman
George Nethercutt
Tyler Prout, Office of Congressman Doc Hastings
Dale Learn, Office of Senator Patty Murray
Greg Gardner, Office of Senator Maria Cantwell |
| April
17, 2002 |
| Due to
a shortfall in the Washington State Department of Transportation’s
budget, a host of transportation projects across the state were
targeted to be eliminated, cut or delayed. The first phase of
four-laning U.S. Highway 12 previously approved with $10.1 million
in state funding was at risk. A
host of coalition members wrote letters to the Washington
State Transportation Commission, phone calls were made to
the respective chairs of the House & Senate Transportation
Committees, and our 16th Legislative District members (Senator
Mike Hewitt, Representative Bill Grant and Representative
Dave Mastin) wrote Secretary of Transportation Doug MacDonald
a joint letter seeking to retain phase one funding.
At the
April 17, Transportation Commission Meeting in Olympia the
following coalition members provided joint testimony seeking
to retain funding:
Senator
Mike Hewitt
County Commissioner Dave Carey
Port Commissioner Fred Bennett
County Public Works Director Phil Merrell
Ball Janik Representative Dan James
While
a multitude of projects throughout the state were cut or substantially
delayed, the coalition was successful in retaining $730,000
in current fiscal year funding to allow phase one four-laning
to go out to bid in October 2002. The remaining construction
funding will be released when the new fiscal year starts on
July 1, 2003.
|
| June
5 & 6, 2002 |
| Walla
Walla Delegation Travels to Washington, DC.
Fred Bennett, Commissioner
Port of Walla Walla
Jerry Cummins, Mayor City of Walla Walla
Dave Carey, Walla Walla County Commissioner
Jim Caddey, Financial Manager Boise Wallula Mill
Jim Kuntz, Executive Director Port of Walla Walla
Dave Carey, Walla Walla County Commissioner
Fred Bennett, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner
Jerry Cummins, Mayor, City of Walla Walla
Meetings held with:
*Congressman Jack Quinn
Congressman George Nethercutt
Senator Maria Cantwell
Senator Patty Murray
Fraser Verrusio - House Transportation & Infrastructure
Committee
John Haifley - Senate Environment & Public Works Committee
*The coalition
met with Congressman Quinn who represents the Buffalo, New
York area at the request of the Cliffstar Corporation, a New
York based juice manufacturing company that is opening a production
facility in Walla Walla. Cliffstar supports the four-laning
of U.S. Highway 12 to enhance the movement of freight into
and out of Walla Walla.
|
| June
12, 2002 |
Secretary of
the Washington State Department of Transportation visits Walla
Walla to discuss the four-laning of Highway 12 with members
of the coalition.
Doug MacDonald, Secretary of Transportation
Fred Bennett, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner
|
| July
25, 2002 |
Senator
Patty Murray announces $2.5 million have been earmarked in
the Senate Transportation & Appropriations Subcommittee
to assist with U.S. Highway 12 four-laning efforts.
|
| August
15, 2002 |
Senator
Patty Murray meets with U.S. Highway 12 Coalition in Walla
Walla.
Fred Bennett, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner
Dave Carey, Walla Walla County Commissioner
Senator Patty Murray
Jerry Cummins, Mayor, City of Walla Walla
|
| August
27 - September 2, 2002 |
U.S.
Highway 12 Coalition attends Walla Walla Fair & Frontier
Days with an informational booth highlighting the coalition’s
efforts. During the five-day fair, 1,207 citizens signed the
coalition’s petition supporting the four-laning of U.S.
Highway 12. As of September 2, 2002 the coalition gathered
a total of 3,545 citizen signatures and 170 business signatures.
|
|
September 18 & 19, 2002 |
Port
of Walla Walla Executive Director Jim Kuntz travels to Washington,
DC. Meetings held with:
September
18
Kathy
Weatherly, Office of Congressman Pete DeFazio
John Anderson, Office of Senator Mike Crapo
Tracie Sunday, Office of Congressman Rick Larsen
Mariia Zimmerman, Office of Congressman Earl Blumenauer
Ben McMakin & Dale Learn, Office of Senator Patty Murray
September
19
Grey
Gardner, Office of Senator Maria Cantwell
Congressman George Nethercutt
Mike McEleney, Office of Congressman “Butch” Otter
Brian Hard, Office of Congressman Greg Walden
Brandon Tucker, Office of Congressman Mike Simpson
Tyler Prout, Office of Congressman Doc Hastings
Alisa Ferguson, Office of Congressman Brian Baird
Joshua Sheinkman, Office of Senator Ron Wyden
|
| October
24, 2002 |
Congressman
George Nethercutt meets with U.S. Highway 12 Coalition in
Walla Walla.
Pam Ray, Walla Walla County Commissioner
Congressman George Nethercutt
Fred Bennett,
Port of Walla Walla Commissioner
|
| December
10, 2002 |
Secretary
of Washington State Department of Transportation meets with
US Highway 12 Coalition to discuss transportation financing
issues.
Doug MacDonald, Secretary of Transportation
|
| December
11, 2002 |
State
awards Phase 1 U.S. Highway 12 four-laning contract.
|
| February
25, 26, 27, 2003 |
Port of
Walla Walla Commissioner Dr. Fred Bennett and Port Executive
Director Jim Kuntz travel to Washington, DC.
Meetings held with:
Senator
Patty Murray
Evan Schatz, Office of Representative Rich Larsen
Beth Stein, Office of Senator Maria Cantwell
Alisa Ferguson, Office of Representative Brian Baird |
| February
28, 2003 |
| Port
of Walla Walla Commissioner Dr. Fred Bennett, Walla Walla County
Commissioner Dave Carey and Port Executive Director Jim Kuntz
meet with Congressman George Nethercutt. |
| March
10 & 11, 2003 |
City
of Walla Walla Mayor Jerry Cummins and City Manager Duane
Cole Travel to Washington, DC.
Meeting
held with:
Congressman
George Nethercutt
Senator Maria Cantwell
Ben McMakin and Dale Learn, Office of Senator Patty Murray
|
| May
1, 2003 |
U.S.
Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration
Officials Tour Project Site.
Left
to Right: Moe Davari, Project Engineer,
WSDOT; Michael Kulback, Regional Engineer,
Federal Highway Administration; Don Whitehouse,
South Central Regional Administrator, WSDOT; Jason
Smith, Assistant Environmental Program Manager, WSDOT;
Lieutenant Colonel Edward Kertis, Commander
Walla Walla District, Army Corp of Engineers; Daniel
Mathis, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration;
Jim Kuntz, Executive Director, Port of Walla
Walla |
| May
9, 2003 |
Walla
Walla Union-Bulletin Editorial:
U.S.
Highway 12 Coalition's hard work pays off
There is reason to be optimistic U.S. Highway 12 will
be four lanes from Walla Walla to the Snake River bridge
in the not-too-distant future.
By the
Editorial Board of the Union-Bulletin
The
U.S. Highway 12 Coalition's success has come from hard work,
not luck. And its members have the bags under their eyes
to prove it.
Coalition
members, led by Port of Walla Walla officials, have tirelessly
lobbied Congress and the state Legislature for money to
expand Highway 12 to four lanes between Burbank and Walla
Walla. Coalition members have done their homework, planned
well and were prepared to seize the opportunity when the
time came. It came when the Legislature cobbled together
a seven-year plan for state road improvements.
Funding
was secured to expand the highway to four lanes from the
Wallula Junction to Burbank. Southeastern Washington will
get more than its fair share of money from the nickel-a-gallon
gas tax recently approved by the Legislature. (Shhh, don't
spread it around, the folks west of the Cascades might make
a grab for our asphalt.)
The
gas-tax hike will provide $32.5 million over seven years.
In addition, $4.4 million has been secured from the federal
government.
Money
was also obtained to plan for expansion of the highway all
the way to Walla Walla.
And,
of course, lobbying continues for federal and state money
for the 30 or so miles of pavement to Walla Walla. The Coalition
has a lot more work ahead of it.
But
the group has already made progress. It has convinced U.S.
Sens. Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell and U.S. Rep. George
Nethercutt that the highway improvements are necessary.
There
is reason to be optimistic Highway 12 will be four lanes
from Walla Walla to the Snake River bridge in the not-too-distant
future.
Coalition
members deserve our praise for their vision for the future
and getting the project this far.
|
| May
15 & 16, 2003 |
Port
of Walla Walla Executive Director Jim Kuntz travels to Washington,
D.C.
Meetings
held with:
Emily Zielske, Office of Senator Maria Cantwell
Dale Learn, Office of Senator Patty Murray
Darin Beffa,Office of Congressman George Nethercutt
Susan McColley, Congressional Affairs Office, U.S. Department
of Transportation |
| May
19, 2003
|
Governor
Gary Locke signs the transportation revenue package. U.S. Highway
12 to receive $32.5 million over a seven-year period, which
will provide the needed financing to four-lane U.S. Highway
12 from the Snake River Bridge in Burbank to the Wallula Junction.
In addition $3 million has been allocated to plan where the
four-lane corridor will be located from the Wallula Junction
to the City of Walla Walla. Senator Mike Hewitt and Representatives
Bill Grant and Dave Mastin deserve credit for making sure U.S.
Highway 12 was included in the state transportation revenue
package. Thank you!
Gary
Locke |
Mike Hewitt |
Bill Grant |
Dave Mastin |
|
| August
27-31, 2003 |
U.S.
Highway 12 Coalition attends Walla Walla Fair & Frontier
Days with an informational booth highlighting the coalition’s
efforts. During the fair over 300 citizens signed the coalition’s
petition supporting the four-laning of U.S. Highway 12.
As of August 31, 2003 the coalition has gathered a total
of 4,007 citizen signatures and 182 business signatures.
|
| September
2, 3 & 4, 2003 |
Walla
Walla Delegation Travels to Washington, DC
Jerry
Cummins, Mayor, City of Walla Walla
Ken Jantz, Commissioner, Port of Walla Walla
Greg Tompkins, Commissioner, Walla Walla County
Jim Kuntz, Executive Director, Port of Walla Walla
Ken Jantz,
Commissioner, Port of Walla Walla
Greg Tompkins, Commissioner, Walla Walla County
Jerry Cummins, Mayor, City of Walla Walla
Meeting
held with:
Senator
Patty Murray
Congressman Goerge Nethercutt
Senator Maria Cantwell
Megan Lawrence, Office of Congressman Nethercutt
Ken Van Poole, Office of Congressman Nethercutt
Rob Neal, Office of Congressman Nethercutt
Dale Learn, Office of Senator Patty Murray
|
| September
24, 2003 |
Washington
State Transportation Commission Holds Meeting In Walla Walla
US Highway 12 Coalition members update Transportation Commission
on efforts to four-lane US Highway 12 from Burbank to Walla
Walla.
|
| October
9 & 10, 2003 |
| Port
of Walla Walla Executive Director Jim Kuntz travels to Washington,
DC -
Meetings
held with the following people:
- Emily
Zielske, Beth Stein and Matt McCarthy, office of Senator
Maria Cantwell.
- Dale
Learn, office of Senator Patty Murray.
- Evan
Schatz, office of Congressman Larsen.
- Megan
Lawrence, office of Congressman Nethercutt.
- Joel
Rubin, office of Congressman Baird.
|
| October
21, 2003 |
Washington State Legislative Transportation Committee visits
Walla Walla. Port Commissioner Dr. Fred Bennett thanks the
transportation committee for its support for four-laning
U.S. Highway 12. In May 2003 the state legislature approved
$32.5 million to four-lane U.S. Highway 12 from Burbank
to Wallula Junction.
|
| February
13, 2004
|
Governor
Gary Locke receives a transportation leadership award from
the U.S. Highway 12 Coalition in Walla Walla.
Left
to Right:
Jerry Cummins, Council Member, City of
Walla Walla
Paul Schneidmiller, Commissioner, Port
of Walla Walla
Ed Ammon, Mayor, City of College Place
Gary Locke, Washington State Governor
Amy Cruz, Communications Manager, Boise
Ken Jantz, Commissioner, Port of Walla
Walla
Left
to Right:
Jim
Kuntz, Executive Director, Port of Walla Walla
Gary Locke, Washington State Governor
Yolanda Cortinas Trout, Member, U.S. Highway
12 Coalition
|
| February
27, 2004 |
| Port
of Walla Walla Commissioner Dr. Fred Bennett and Port Executive
Director Jim Kuntz travel to Washington, DC.
Meetings
held with the following people:
- Megan
Lawrence, office of Congressman Nethercutt.
- Dale
Learn, office of Senator Patty Murray.
- Emily
Zielske, Beth Stein and Matt McCarthy, office of Senator
Maria Cantwell.
|
| March
29 & 30, 2004 |
| WSDOT
and US Highway 12 coalition hosts informational open houses
in Burbank and Walla Walla to update community on the progress
of four-laning US Highway 12. Excellent public attendance
and input was received.
|
| May
5 & 6, 2004 |
| U.S. Highway
12 Coalition meets with Congressional delegation.
Meetings
held with:
Senator
Murray
Left to Right:
Jim Kuntz, Port of Walla Walla Executive Director
Greg Tompkins, Walla Walla County Commissioner
Jerry Cummins, City of Walla Walla Councilman
Senator Patty Murray
Fred Bennett, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner
Ed Ammon, City of College Place Mayor
Senator
Cantwell
Left to Right:
Greg Tompkins, Walla Walla County Commissioner
Ed Ammon, City of College Place Mayor
Senator Maria Cantwell
Jerry Cummins, City of Walla Walla Councilman
Jim Kuntz, Port of Walla Walla Executive Director
Fred Bennett, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner
Congressman
Nethercutt
Left to Right:
Fred Bennett, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner
Jim Kuntz, Port of Walla Walla Executive Director
Jerry Cummins, City of Walla Walla Councilman
Greg Tompkins, Walla Walla County Commissioner
Congressman George Nethercutt
Ed Ammon, City of College Place Mayor
|
| August,
2004 |
Phase
I completed ahead of schedule and within $11.1 million budget.
Casey Pond Section |
| February 1 & 2, 2005
|
|
Port of Walla Walla Executive
Director Travels to Washington, D.C.
Meetings held with:
Representative Cathy McMorris
Dale Learn, Office of Senator Patty Murray
Kelly Leary and Layth Elhaussani, Office of Senator Cantwell
Larry Ehl, Federal Liaison, Washington State Department of Transportation
Jack Silzel, Office of Representative McMorris |
| March 23, 2005
|
Representative
Cathy McMorris meets with U.S. Highway 12 Coalition in Walla
Walla. Representative McMorris announces $3.4 million has been allocated in "Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users" or "SAFETEA-LU."
Left to Right:
Jim Kuntz, Port of Walla Walla Executive Director
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris
David Condon, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris District Director
Paul Schneidmiller, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner
|
Left to Right:
David Condon, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris District Director
Jerry Cummins, City of Walla Walla Council Member
Dave Carey, Walla Walla County Commissioner
Ken Jantz, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner
Joyce Anderson, Artist
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris
Ed Ammon, City of College Place Mayor
|
|
| April
18-20, 2005 |
U.S. Highway 12 delegation travels to Washington , DC . Meetings held with Fraser Verrusio, Policy Director, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and with the Congressional delegation:
Left to Right:
Jerry Cummins, City of Walla Walla Council Member
Ken Jantz, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner
Senator Maria Cantwell
Ed Ammon, City of College Place Mayor
Dave Carey, Walla Walla County Commissioner
Jim Caddey, Boise Paper Financial Manager
Jim Kuntz, Port of Walla Walla Executive Director
Left to Right:
Ken Jantz, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner
Jerry Cummins, City of Walla Walla Council Member
Senator Patty Murray
Jim Caddey, Boise Paper Financial Manager
Dave Carey, Walla Walla County Commissioner
Ed Ammon, City of College Place Mayor
Left to Right:
Dave Carey, Walla Walla County Commissioner
Jerry Cummins, City of Walla Walla Council Member
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris
Ed Ammon, City of College Place Mayor
Ken Jantz, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner
Jim Caddey, Boise Paper Financial Manager
|
| May
9, 2005
|
Governor
Christine Gregoire signs the transportation revenue package.
Included in the bill is $20 million for the U.S. Highway 12/124
Burbank Interchange, $36 million to four-lane U.S. Highway
12 from the City of Walla Walla to McDonald Road, near Lowden
(PhaseVI) and $4.23 million for the Myra Road extension to
U.S. Highway 12. Senator Mike Hewitt is credited for making
sure the U.S. Highway 12 projects were included in the transportation
package.
Governor
Chris Gregoire
|
Senator
Mike Hewitt
|
|
|
| May
11 & 12, 2005 |
WSDOT and U.S. Highway 12 Coalition hosts open houses in Burbank and Walla Walla to update community on the progress of four-laning U.S. Highway 12.
|
| Fall 2005 - Major
Milestone |
Federal budget includes a $2.25 million appropriation and a $5.9 million TEA-21 appropriation for Phase VI four-laning.
|
| April 25 & 26, 2006 |
U.S. Highway 12 delegation travels to Washington, DC to meet with Congressional Delegation. Coalition members include: Dr. Fred Bennett, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner; Greg Tompkins, Walla Walla County Commissioner; Jerry Cummins, Walla Walla City Council Member; Jim Kuntz, Port of Walla Walla Executive Director; Duane Cole, City of Walla Walla Manager; Pat Reay, City of College Place Administrator.
Meetings held with:
Senator Patty Murray
Senator Maria Cantwell
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris |
| June
1, 2006 |
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - NEWS South Central Region - PO Box 12560 -Yakima, WA 98909-2560
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2006
Contacts:
Will Smith, WSDOT Project Engineer (509) 577-1844 (Yakima), Bob Hooker, WSDOT Assistant Project Engineer (509) 577-1842 (Yakima), Mike Westbay, Communications Manager (509)728-4712 (Yakima)
WSDOT AWARDS US 12 ATTALIA VICINITY ADD LANES CONTRACT
WALLA WALLA – WSDOT awarded an $11,221,772.72 contract to Apollo, Inc. of Kennewick, WA to add two more lanes to US 12 in Walla Walla County near Attalia. The contract includes construction of a pre-stressed concrete girder bridge, asphalt paving, guardrail installation, guideposts, signing and lighting.
This project is part of a corridor plan to increase safety and improve mobility for US 12 between the Snake River Bridge and the city of Walla Walla , by adding lanes to establish a four-lane divided highway.
The contract was awarded May 31, 2006. Drivers should be able to see the start of construction in middle part of June. |
| January 29-30, 2007 |
U.S. Highway 12 delegation travels to Washington, DC to meet with Congressional delegation. Coalition members include: Paul Schneidmiller, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner; Greg Tompkins, Walla Walla County Commissioners; Jerry Cummins, Walla Walla City Council Member; Ed Ammon, City of College Place Mayor; Jim Kuntz, Port of Walla Walla, Executive Director.
Meetings held with:
Senator Patty Murray
Senator Maria Cantwell
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris |
| THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2007 – DEDICATION OF PHASE III FOUR-LANING U.S. HIGHWAY 12 |
|
| FEBRUARY 4-5, 2008 |
U.S. Highway 12 delegation travels to Washington, DC to meet with Congressional delegation. Coalition members include: Paul Schneidmiller, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner; Greg Tompkins, Walla Walla County Commissioner; Jerry Cummins, Walla Walla City Council Member; Ed Ammon, City of College Place Mayor; Duane Cole, City of Walla Walla Manager; Jim Kuntz, Port of Walla Walla Executive Director.
Meeting held with:
Senator Patty Murray
Senator Maria Cantwell
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers |
| JUNE 3, 2008 – CELEBRATION OF PROGRESS – START OF PHASE VI CONSTRUCTION |
| |
| FEBRUARY 9-10, 2009 |
| U.S. Highway 12 delegation travels to Washington, DC to meet with Congressional Delegation. Coalition members include: Paul Schneidmiller, Port of Walla Walla Commissioner; Greg Tompkins, Walla Walla County Commissioner; Jerry Cummins, Walla Walla City Council Member; Jim Kuntz, Port of Walla Walla Executive Director; Duane Cole, City of Walla Walla Manager. |
| JUNE 24, 2009 - Major
Milestone |
Federal budget includes a $2.66 million appropriation for phase 7-A environmental documentation and design.
Senator Murray
|
|
