Reser Road project to begin August 9

Reser Road project to begin August 9
Project to widen road and add sidewalks for improved safety

WALLA WALLA - Monday, August 1 - Walla Walla County Commissioners voted this morning to name Culbert Construction Inc. of Pasco, WA as the contractor for the Reser Road project to improve the road from Howard to Fern Street. Construction work will begin Tuesday, August 9.

The Reser Road project will widen the road to 40 feet and feature sidewalk, sign, bridge, fencing and bike lane improvements. Walla Walla County expects work to continue on the project through November 2011 and then resume next summer to complete the Yellowhawk Bridge phase.

Unfortunately, schedule delays linked to finalizing mitigation with the federal government for impacts to bull trout resulting from construction of the new Yellowhawk Creek bridge have pushed the projected completion date to fall 2012.

The project will not impact the playground at Prospect Point. No district funds are being used to pay for the Reser Road project.Walla Walla County officials say traffic flow will be impacted by the project, but report they have measures in the contract to minimize delays.

Walla Walla County received $330,000 from the Washington State Department of Transportation Safe Routes to Schools grant program and $200,000 from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) to help fund the $2.2 million project Reser Road provides access to Prospect Point Elementary and Walla Walla High School and is heavily used by students and families.

To learn more about the project and to received project updates, visit the Walla Walla County website at: http://www.co.walla-walla.wa.us/departments/pwd/reser.html