Company plans cell tower on Hwy. 26

Inland Cellular is in the early stages of constructing a communications tower near Colfax on State Route 26.

The tower is proposed to be constructed for the purpose of improving cell phone coverage in the area, said Dena Whitaker, project scientist and environmental biologist at Trileaf Corporation in Chandler, Ariz. Inland Cellular is a client of Trileaf, which is heading up an environmental, historical and Native American study in relation to the proposed construction. Whitaker said this is “preliminary stuff” to be done before more groups complete things such as permitting and zoning.

Anne Watanabe, general counsel with Inland Cellular, said the location is approximately seven miles east of Dusty. She added that Inland Cellular expects to complete the tower this fall.

The tower, according to Watanabe, would be one of numerous towers the company operates in Whitman County.

A public comment period is currently open regarding potential effects on historical properties, with those being able to be submitted to Whitaker: d.whitaker@trileaf.com.