The existing US 195 Bridge, built in 1931, and the SR 26 Spur Bridge, built in 1938, are currently structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. WSDOT plans to remove both existing bridges in favor of a new single bridge spanning the Palouse River crossing with an improved intersection design.
Both SR 26 and US 195 are major freight corridors for both the region and the state. They alone carry up to 10 million tons of freight per year and are vital to the connectivity and economic output of Washington state.
In December of 2022, the first open house and town hall meeting was held to inform the public of the upcoming bridge reconstruction project to rebuild the SR 26/US 195 bridges in Colfax. The design team presented three options at the first open house and asked for feedback. The three alternatives were presented:
- Tee Intersection on SR 26
- Tee Intersection on US 195
- Roundabout
At the first open house 43% voted in favor of a roundabout, 27% in favor of a Tee Intersection on US 195 and 22% were in favor of a Tee Intersection or other alternative. (Several respondents gave multiple "first" choices
The second open house was held in March of 2023. The WSDOT design team presented two updated design alternatives to the community including the Tee Intersection and an updated roundabout with improved bridge design. Further responses were received from the community as well as other stakeholders. The preferred design option chosen by the community to move forward with design was the roundabout option.
A third public meeting was held in January 2024, which shared a finalized design for the roundabout which had incorporated feedback from local trucking companies, businesses and the public. A rendering of the design can be seen in the maps and drawings tab.
Design on the project will continue through 2024.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025 and last through 2027.
Milestone
December 2022
First community engagement event was held in Colfax.
March 2023
Second community engagement event was held in Colfax.
October 2023
Pre-design phase completed.
January 2024
Design funding allocated, full design efforts underway.
January 2024
Third public engagement event was held in Colfax.
February 2024
After extensive engagement in Colfax and several surveys, the roundabout intersection was chosen as the final option.
Financial information for PIN# 619503P
Pre-Existing Funds (PEF) - $13,273,000
Total - $13,273,000
This design constructs a roundabout to the north of the North Fork Palouse River and allows for movements of US 195 and SR 26. Potential features in the design include for a 3- or 4-lane bridge and potential bypass lanes to bypass the roundabout, except for left-turn movements.
This design was selected after multiple surveys and several open houses that occurred in Colfax.
More information on complete streets.
