Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
$13,430 project ends with new lanes on State Route 26
WSDOT Project Manager Alex Proscek, Maintenance Leads Zarn Clausen and Devin Claussen pose with their part of the ribbon from the ceremony.
Rep. Joe Schmick speaks during the ceremony.
COLFAX - A ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating the opening of four new passing lanes along State Route 26 took place on Wednesday Oct. 30
Representatives and community members gathered at the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds to mark the grand opening of the lanes between Dusty and Colfax.
Washington State Department of Transportation Regional Administrator Charlene Kay said the ribbon cutting represents how it all started, with collaboration of elected officials and local partners.
"It has been a long time in the works," said Senator Mark Schoesler, noting the transportation package "Connecting Washington" was needed.
The Connecting Washington funding package was a $16 billion investment to enhance the statewide transportation system and maintain critical infrastructure that is a 16-year program funded by 11.9 cents gas tax increase phased in on July 1, 2016.
"It's a happy day and I'm glad I'm still here to be a part of it," Schoesler said.
Others in attendance included current 9th Legislative District Representatives Joe Schmick and Mary Dye, Washington State University Chancellor David Cillay, WSDOT Project Engineer Alex Proscek, Maintenance Lead tech Zarn Clausen and the Palouse Regional Transportation Planning Organization Director Rebecca Couch.
"I'm super glad to see everybody involved," Couch said.
Associated Students of Washington State University Director of Health and Safety Mauro Ramirez said that it was an amazing project and beneficial to students.
Ramirez said that the Associated Students of WSU lobbied during the annual Coug Day at the Capitol, because of students who had died in an accident on the road in 2022.
The project started in June 2022 with three truck climbing lanes, or passing lanes for vehicles traveling along U.S. Highway 26.
The first three climbing lanes received $10,266 in funding. The legislature approved a fourth climbing lane in 2024 with funding of $3,164.
There are now two passing lanes on either side of the route.
"I'm excited to see that it is open," said WSDOT Spokesman Ryan Overton. "Safety is huge for students and residents."
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