US 12 - Wallula to Nine Mile Hill - Build New Highway (Phase 8)

Since 2003, significant progress has been made toward four-laning existing US 12 from the Snake River (near Burbank) to Walla Walla. Now that the 11-mile Phase 7 project is complete, approximately 10 miles of two-lane, undivided existing highway remain between Attalia and Nine Mile Hill.

Completing this new section of US 12 highway will benefit the residents, businesses and traveling public through improved safety, capacity and mobility. In addition, the regional transportation system between the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla will better support the agriculture and wine industries and other freight traffic critical to Eastern Washington’s economic vitality. 

Project benefits 

• Increased safety: The proposed four-lane highway will improve safety by separating opposing traffic with a median. Grade-separated intersections with local roads will allow access to and from the new roadway. Building a four-lane highway will also ease conflicts between slow moving trucks and passenger vehicles.
• Reduce congestion: A four-lane highway will improve traffic flow and passing vehicle movements.
• Freight mobility: Commercial trucks make up as much as 18 percent of traffic on US 12 in this area. Increasing capacity will reduce slowdowns and improve travel time for freight, tourism, recreational and commuter traffic.
• Economic: Once complete, the new four-lane highway will connect Walla Walla to the western ports and enhance mobility within the region and state.