Construction projects delayed due to coronavirus quarantine

LaCROSSE — Gov. Jay Inslee’s “stay home, stay healthy” quarantine has halted construction on railroad tracks.

Upgrades were scheduled for the Hooper Railroad line near State Highway 26 in Adams and Whitman counties between Mileposts 25-42.

The project included replacing ties, rail other track materials.

According to project engineer Chad Simonson with the state Department of Transportation, all that remains to be completed on that project is two pedestrian crossings in LaCrosse.

Simonson said the crossings are completed for pedestrian use, just not wheelchairs.

“Concrete has to be poured, and typically most asphalt plants don’t open until April. But now everything is shut down until May 4 under the governor’s order,” Simonson said.

Paving of southbound U.S. Highway 395 from the Franklin County Line to Lee Road southbound lanes and state Highway 26 from Milepost 60-62 is also suspended.

The project would’ve replaced asphalt through milling and repaving.

The project was expected to take 45 days, prior to the quarantine.

The project engineer could not be reached for comment before press time.