Port of Walla Walla 2012 Newsletter

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"Thanks go to Senator Mike Hewitt for fighting to bring this project to our community."

Terry Nealey
WA State Representative
16th Legislative District

   Elected officials and a coalition of regional supporters joined the Burbank community in June, 2012 to applaud the completion of the US 12, State route 124 and Humorist Road interchange project.
   The Washington Department of Transportation described the $21.3 million project as a "major highway safety improvement" in an area that has been plagued with a history of collisions resulting
in serious injuries and fatalities.
   "It took a lot of partners a long time to get this funded," said Don Whitehouse, Washington State DOT regional administrator. He praised the project as a "quality product that will serve this community for a long, long time to come."
   Funded by the 2005 gas tax approved by the Washington legislature, improvements in addition to the interchange include a new entrance to Hood Park, an extension of Jantz Road and a new roundabout on Fifth Street.

With the completion of the interchange and its benefits of reducing congestion and improving safety, the Port lead U.S. Highway 12 Coalition is now focused on funding for the next phase. This phase (7) will four-lane U.S. Highway 12 between Touchet and Lowden at an estimated cost of $126 million. The preliminary design has been completed and some funding is available for right-of-way acquisition. The Coalition will be seeking funding from State and Federal agencies to allow the construction phase to proceed.

Walla Walla, College Place get Economic Development Sales Tax funds

   Sales tax funding for two important economic development infrastructure projects were recently approved jointly by the Port of Walla Walla Commission and Walla Walla County Commission.
   The City of College Place was awarded a $200,000 grant to assist with reconstruction of College Avenue and Rose Street. The City of Walla Walla was awarded a $200,000 grant to make improvements to Alder Street, including the development of angle parking and replacement of antiquated traffic signals.
   The grant funds come from the

economic development sales tax account administered in part by the Port and County commissions.
Dollars for that account come from the state's portion (6.5%) of locally collected sales taxes. Of that amount, .09% of 1% can be held for public infrastructure investments that create and retain jobs.
Port Commission President Paul Schneidmiller said, "We value our close working relationship with the Walla Walla County Commissioners in selecting projects that make a difference in our communities."

"We value our close relationship with Walla Walla County Commissioners in selecting projects that make a difference."

Paul Schneidmiller
Port of Walla Walla Commissioner

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