Walla Walla County Receives $108.5 Million Grant

Walla Walla County has been awarded a $108.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to complete the final 10-mile section of U.S. Highway 12, transforming it from a two-lane undivided road to a modern four-lane divided highway. This funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and represents the largest award from the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program to date. The project aims to enhance safety and mobility for commuters and freight traffic, benefiting local businesses and the agricultural community. Planned improvements include a 42-foot median, guardrails, crash cushions, and redesigned intersections to meet current safety standards. The Washington State Department of Transportation expects to begin construction in 2027, with an estimated total project cost of approximately $280 million. This infrastructure upgrade is seen as vital for regional economic growth, particularly as the area attracts major industrial investments.