Major Milestone - State of Washington Transportation Revenue Package Includes $60.23 for U.S. Highway 12

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 (Phase VI) 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

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.

Major Milestone

Federal budget includes a $2.25 million appropriation and a $5.9 million TEA-21 appropriation for Phase VI four-laning.

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

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.

U.S. Highway 12 delegation travels to Washington, DC to meet with Congressional delegation.

Coalition members include:

• Paul Scheidmiller, 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
• Jim Kuntz, Port of Walla Walla, Executive Director

Meetings held with:

• Senator Patty Murray
• Senator Maria Cantwell
• Congresswoman Cathy McMorris

Dedication of Phase III

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

Celebration of Progress - Start of Phase VI Construction

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