Palouse street project awaits WSDOT plans

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Jun 22, 20160

The West Whitman Street project in Palouse may still be completed this summer.

Palouse city engineer Munir Daud appeared at a city council meeting June 14, to report on the project, which would include replacing a 550-foot section of street and railroad tracks, along with new drainage, sidewalks, curbs, gutters and lighting.

The project now awaits final engineering designs from the Washington State Department of Transportation and its engineer, H.D.R. Engineering of Spokane.

“Hopefully we go out to bid in early July,” said Palouse Mayor Michael Echanove. “We're confident this is still a summer 2016 project.”

If so, the work would likely begin in late August or September. In the event the project runs into fall weather issues, the final paving stages could be held until next year, leaving gravel in the meantime.

“Is that any worse than it is now?” questioned Echanove.

The work would extend the 2008 East Whitman Street revitalization project.

Last year, the Washington state legislature pledged $280,000 for West Whitman in Palouse as part of a $16 billion transportation package. The money will pay for the railroad work to be done simultaneously with the street work.

In addition, last November Palouse's West Whitman work was approved for a grant through the Transportation Improvement Board. The $370,500 approval followed the denial of Palouse's application the year before.

The state’s Department of Transportation had already pledged $30,000 to the proposed project.

All told, the TIB grant, state transportation money, the DOT money and $22,000 from the City of Palouse's arterial streets fund is expected to cover all costs.