RICHLAND, Wash. – Drivers in Richland can expect several highway projects this summer, with WSDOT crews working diligently to enhance road safety and infrastructure.
One of the key projects is the installation of a noise wall along State Route 240, near Stevens Drive, aiming to reduce highway noise for nearby residents.
Alex Sanguino, a projects engineer with WSDOT, shared details about the construction, stating,
“We’re constructing a noise wall there adjacent to the Moon River RV Park. Once that’s all constructed, we’ll do some night work, and we’ll be closing down 240 nightly,” says Sanguino.
In addition to the noise wall, other regional projects include painting the Umatilla Bridge on Interstate 82, building a new weigh station near the Washington-Oregon border, and chip sealing along State Route 260. These projects are set to begin in May and are expected to continue throughout the year.
The construction on Highway 240 is anticipated to be completed by the end of the summer, costing upwards of around $8 Million. In light of road safety concerns, WSDOT reported 1,607 crashes in work zones in Washington State last year, five of which were fatal.
Matt Wilhelm, a project engineer for WSDOT, has first-hand experience working near busy roads, and shares a message about safety in work zones.
“We’re normal people, just like you. So, we want to get home to our families and, be safe every day. We’re just trying to do our jobs, and, you know, if we can make it a safer place. I think that’s always the goal.”
