So, when I took my drive to Dayton, Washington, on Tuesday, I drove a section of US Route 12 I've never driven before. This section: https://goo.gl/maps/xKi1E5PvujjzC4mo6 From the Wallula Junction to the exit for Washington State Route 125 in Walla Walla, Washington. I drove it eastbound. I came across a sign stating that a new traffic pattern would be starting on March 23, 2023. The sign is a little before milepost 317; the new road itself is a little after milepost 317. It doesn't seem to be a temporary alignment as I saw a milepost sign on the new road, so it looks like it will be permanent. It wasn't totally clear where the other end came out, but right here is where it starts: https://goo.gl/maps/m67NonrHgiQVmrBe7 It's more completed than that now, of course.
What project is going on here, and what is going to happen with the old alignment? Will it become US Route 12 Alternate, like US Route 97 Alternate in Chelan County?
Quote from: Amaury on March 10, 2023, 01:57:05 PM
So, when I took my drive to Dayton, Washington, on Tuesday, I drove a section of US Route 12 I've never driven before. This section: https://goo.gl/maps/xKi1E5PvujjzC4mo6 From the Wallula Junction to the exit for Washington State Route 125 in Walla Walla, Washington. I drove it eastbound. I came across a sign stating that a new traffic pattern would be starting on March 23, 2023. The sign is a little before milepost 317; the new road itself is a little after milepost 317. It doesn't seem to be a temporary alignment as I saw a milepost sign on the new road, so it looks like it will be permanent. It wasn't totally clear where the other end came out, but right here is where it starts: https://goo.gl/maps/m67NonrHgiQVmrBe7 It's more completed than that now, of course.
What project is going on here, and what is going to happen with the old alignment? Will it become US Route 12 Alternate, like US Route 97 Alternate in Chelan County?
It comes out at MM 328 where the existing 4-lane ends WB - https://goo.gl/maps/wHxbWxEEerhFqcd79
project: https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/us-12-nine-mile-hill-frenchtown-vic-build-new-highway
it appears the new alignment will be a full freeway. The previous project east through Walla Walla did not result in US 12 ALT, etc. so i would be surprised if this one does when completed.
Since it likely won't become an alternate alignment, I would guess the old alignment just becomes a county road known perhaps as Old Highway 12, like Old Highway 97 in Okanogan County.
Glad this is getting done, I last drove that stretch when I was working in Richland a few years ago, and hoo boy did that need upgrades.
Quote from: Amaury on March 10, 2023, 01:57:05 PM
So, when I took my drive to Dayton, Washington, on Tuesday, I drove a section of US Route 12 I've never driven before. This section: https://goo.gl/maps/xKi1E5PvujjzC4mo6 From the Wallula Junction to the exit for Washington State Route 125 in Walla Walla, Washington. I drove it eastbound. I came across a sign stating that a new traffic pattern would be starting on March 23, 2023. The sign is a little before milepost 317; the new road itself is a little after milepost 317. It doesn't seem to be a temporary alignment as I saw a milepost sign on the new road, so it looks like it will be permanent. It wasn't totally clear where the other end came out, but right here is where it starts: https://goo.gl/maps/m67NonrHgiQVmrBe7 It's more completed than that now, of course.
What project is going on here, and what is going to happen with the old alignment? Will it become US Route 12 Alternate, like US Route 97 Alternate in Chelan County?
Bing maps has more recent aerial imagery: https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=5df753b7-06c6-43e8-9b71-d7989245ae2c&cp=46.053796~-118.611049&lvl=13.058384&style=a&pi=0&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027 (https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=5df753b7-06c6-43e8-9b71-d7989245ae2c&cp=46.053796~-118.611049&lvl=13.058384&style=a&pi=0&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027)
It's part of an overall WSDOT plan to four-lane US 12 all the way from Tri-Cities to Walla Walla.
After that new section opens, all that will remain is the section west of there, from that segment's west end to the Columbia River:
https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/us-12-wallula-nine-mile-hill-build-new-highway
Quote from: xonhulu on March 11, 2023, 09:30:38 PM
It's part of an overall WSDOT plan to four-lane US 12 all the way from Tri-Cities to Walla Walla.
After that new section opens, all that will remain is the section west of there, from that segment's west end to the Columbia River:
https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/us-12-wallula-nine-mile-hill-build-new-highway
Walla Walla to Wallula has a nicer ring to it than Walla Walla to Attalia. Oh well...
Quote from: Amaury on March 10, 2023, 03:20:47 PM
Since it likely won't become an alternate alignment, I would guess the old alignment just becomes a county road known perhaps as Old Highway 12, like Old Highway 97 in Okanogan County.
Almost certainly. The last segment of US 12 to be upgraded on a new alignment immediately to the east also resulted in an "Old Hwy 12". https://goo.gl/maps/QZktdaJKQRFpr5Pk8
As a bonus, it seems WSDOT is planning on restoring the old alignment of Old US 12 that had to be squared off to meet current US 12 (which will be demolished).
(https://i.imgur.com/pZsBTyf.jpeg)
The new US 12 bypass (freeway?) west of Walla Walla will likely open this Thursday, June 1. It was supposed to open last Friday but they had a mechanical breakdown.
https://www.union-bulletin.com/news/local/governments/opening-of-us-12-phase-7-delayed-a-week-after-engine-breaks-down/article_2bba2d2a-fc22-11ed-9475-13b68d0e2426.html
There are no signs of construction along the US 12 corridor on Google Maps. I guess we'll just have to wait until the Satellite image is updated to see the new four-lane highway.
https://sentinelshare.page.link/4zo2
Sentinel satellite imagery is of low resolution compared to Google Earth, but can be as recent as 1 day old. Here's a link to the latest satellite image of that area.
It does show two interchanges and overpasses elsewhere.
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on May 30, 2023, 02:59:37 PM
There are no signs of construction along the US 12 corridor on Google Maps. I guess we'll just have to wait until the Satellite image is updated to see the new four-lane highway.
OSM shows the alignment. (https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=13/46.0435/-118.6094)
It looks like the west end of this new expressway is the third alignment for US-12, with Byrnes Rd being the original one along the railroad tracks.
The new
expressway (not a freeway, and only an extension of the bypass) between Touchet and Walla Walla will open later today.
https://www.union-bulletin.com/news/local/governments/new-stretch-of-us-12-between-walla-walla-tri-cities-to-open-this-afternoon/article_53791ea8-0167-11ee-9967-c3c6fc73696e.html
Quote from: pderocco on May 31, 2023, 08:17:32 PM
It looks like the west end of this new expressway is the third alignment for US-12, with Byrnes Rd being the original one along the railroad tracks.
From the USGS topos, it doesn't seem that Byrnes Road was ever part of US 12. Maybe part of the predecessor IEH, but definitely not US 12.
1920 alignment:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.postimg.cc%2FqMBwkjx2%2FScreenshot-20230603-081822.jpg&hash=ebf195090243f110be0430be021c85bbbd2b281c)
Look at those beautiful signs: https://www.facebook.com/mycolumbiabasininfo/posts/pfbid0YgqqesniSXmTPDipjkBLHbXAVGgDHXBpcHSKA7QRmJcgiqB2bZPVdxr9qNis39xVl
Google Maps' overhead view has updated with the new alignment: https://goo.gl/maps/v6Yk9e24obKXBYBx7 However, there are no captures of the new roadway itself yet.
The Walla Walla County government received a $108.5 million federal grant to kickstart work on the Wallula bypass, which still needs $280 million from the state and other sources.
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/jan/20/getting-there-new-highway-segment-planned-between-/
Quote from: Bruce on January 20, 2025, 10:52:18 PMThe Walla Walla County government received a $108.5 million federal grant to kickstart work on the Wallula bypass, which still needs $280 million from the state and other sources.
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/jan/20/getting-there-new-highway-segment-planned-between-/
The article states "When the highway opens, the old highway will become a county road." I'd have to think the actual plan is more complicated than that. They aren't going to let US-730 end at a county road. I'd imagine they would extend US-730 to US-12, but whether they do it to the north or to the east, I'm not sure.
Are there any plans already set around US-730 with this project that weren't mentioned in the article? This is the first I'm hearing of the project so I'm not sure.
Quote from: doorknob60 on January 21, 2025, 11:36:07 AM...They aren't going to let US-730 end at a county road. I'd imagine they would extend US-730 to US-12, but whether they do it to the north or to the east, I'm not sure...
Awhile ago on WSDOT's website for this project, they had a map which indicated that US 730 would be extended north to Attalia via the current US 12. I don't know if that map is still on WSDOT's site, but I did add it to this page (https://www.usends.com/blog/all-about-the-shortest-us-routes), because that would mean US 730 would have to cede its dubious distinction as the shortest US route to US 266.
Quote from: Bruce on June 02, 2023, 05:25:27 PMThe new expressway (not a freeway, and only an extension of the bypass) between Touchet and Walla Walla will open later today.
I drove this segment on May 30 on my way to and from the Race / Demo at the Walla Walla Fairgrounds and I can assure you that it is 100% full freeway. There are ZERO driveways, intersections or anything else on the newly built segment that would justify it as being referred to as anything other than a FREEWAY.
Quote from: Thunderbyrd316 on September 19, 2025, 05:22:37 PMI drove this segment on May 30 on my way to and from the Race / Demo at the Walla Walla Fairgrounds and I can assure you that it is 100% full freeway. There are ZERO driveways, intersections or anything else on the newly built segment that would justify it as being referred to as anything other than a FREEWAY.
There are three at-grade intersections between Touchet and Walla Walla, all from older phases of the project. So it isn't able to be called a freeway until those are rebuilt.
Quote from: Thunderbyrd316 on September 19, 2025, 05:22:37 PMI drove this segment on May 30 on my way to and from the Race / Demo at the Walla Walla Fairgrounds and I can assure you that it is 100% full freeway. There are ZERO driveways, intersections or anything else on the newly built segment that would justify it as being referred to as anything other than a FREEWAY.
Someone's cheating right here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9DLVCkik1VAiE6uU6 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/9DLVCkik1VAiE6uU6)
Quote from: Bruce on September 19, 2025, 05:44:55 PMQuote from: Thunderbyrd316 on September 19, 2025, 05:22:37 PMI drove this segment on May 30 on my way to and from the Race / Demo at the Walla Walla Fairgrounds and I can assure you that it is 100% full freeway. There are ZERO driveways, intersections or anything else on the newly built segment that would justify it as being referred to as anything other than a FREEWAY.
There are three at-grade intersections between Touchet and Walla Walla, all from older phases of the project. So it isn't able to be called a freeway until those are rebuilt.
Or, they could put up END FREEWAY and BEGIN FREEWAY signs on either side of them, the way California does along US-101 in many places.
I would note that the signs at on-ramps also say Freeway Entrance, both at this new alignment and what's been around in Walla Walla area for quite a while:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rwtaeACweieVEdyEA
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Kacb7CHcXpfJHweM6
Whereas here at SR 17 and SR 26, it is Highway Entrance: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uJ1nnVGxqcgD9z1j9
Interestingly, US 395, which I consider a freeway on certain portions, does use Highway Entrance in areas, such as here at SR 26: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jkxV1GMV3gYmoQtq7 But at SR 260, it uses Freeway Entrance, so US 395 isn't even consistent.
There are three at-grade intersections between Touchet and Walla Walla, all from older phases of the project. So it isn't able to be called a freeway until those are rebuilt.
[/quote]
Those intersections are BEYOND the newly constructed FULL FREEWAY segment. I would have thought you had been on this forum long enough to know that having a surface intersection on one segment of highway does not change the status of an adjoining segment of highway. For example, US 12 through Elma is FULL FREEWAY as it is through Montesano. The segment in between those two segments with surface intersections has NO effect on those two short segments being FULL FREEWAY. Likewise US 101 is FULL FREEWAY from Interstate 5 to SR 8. The intersections beyond the SR 8 junction have ZERO effect on the freeway segment.
Someone's cheating right here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9DLVCkik1VAiE6uU6 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/9DLVCkik1VAiE6uU6)
[/quote]
If you zoom in you can clearly see the wire fence goes across the "driveway".
Quote from: Thunderbyrd316 on September 21, 2025, 06:11:35 PMThose intersections are BEYOND the newly constructed FULL FREEWAY segment. I would have thought you had been on this forum long enough to know that having a surface intersection on one segment of highway does not change the status of an adjoining segment of highway. For example, US 12 through Elma is FULL FREEWAY as it is through Montesano. The segment in between those two segments with surface intersections has NO effect on those two short segments being FULL FREEWAY. Likewise US 101 is FULL FREEWAY from Interstate 5 to SR 8. The intersections beyond the SR 8 junction have ZERO effect on the freeway segment.
I consider the entire Touchet to Walla Walla section to be a continuous entity and thus if one portion isn't a full freeway, then none of it is. Being on a forum a long time doesn't change the fact that it is colloquially an expressway.
Quote from: Thunderbyrd316 on September 21, 2025, 06:13:08 PMSomeone's cheating right here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9DLVCkik1VAiE6uU6 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/9DLVCkik1VAiE6uU6)
If you zoom in you can clearly see the wire fence goes across the "driveway".
[/quote]
You're right, I didn't zoom in all the way. But those tire tracks were clearly made since the last rainfall, so that must be a very new fence.
Quote from: Bruce on September 21, 2025, 07:41:34 PMQuote from: Thunderbyrd316 on September 21, 2025, 06:11:35 PMThose intersections are BEYOND the newly constructed FULL FREEWAY segment. I would have thought you had been on this forum long enough to know that having a surface intersection on one segment of highway does not change the status of an adjoining segment of highway. For example, US 12 through Elma is FULL FREEWAY as it is through Montesano. The segment in between those two segments with surface intersections has NO effect on those two short segments being FULL FREEWAY. Likewise US 101 is FULL FREEWAY from Interstate 5 to SR 8. The intersections beyond the SR 8 junction have ZERO effect on the freeway segment.
I consider the entire Touchet to Walla Walla section to be a continuous entity and thus if one portion isn't a full freeway, then none of it is. Being on a forum a long time doesn't change the fact that it is colloquially an expressway.
I-70 isn't a freeway. Becuz Breezewood.
Quote from: Bruce on September 21, 2025, 07:41:34 PMQuote from: Thunderbyrd316 on September 21, 2025, 06:11:35 PMThose intersections are BEYOND the newly constructed FULL FREEWAY segment. I would have thought you had been on this forum long enough to know that having a surface intersection on one segment of highway does not change the status of an adjoining segment of highway. For example, US 12 through Elma is FULL FREEWAY as it is through Montesano. The segment in between those two segments with surface intersections has NO effect on those two short segments being FULL FREEWAY. Likewise US 101 is FULL FREEWAY from Interstate 5 to SR 8. The intersections beyond the SR 8 junction have ZERO effect on the freeway segment.
I consider the entire Touchet to Walla Walla section to be a continuous entity and thus if one portion isn't a full freeway, then none of it is. Being on a forum a long time doesn't change the fact that it is colloquially an expressway.
Using this logic, both the Hollywood Freeway and Bayshore Freeway are not freeways because of the few remaining surface intersections between Santa Barbara and San Jose.
Quote from: Thunderbyrd316 on September 24, 2025, 05:56:41 PMQuote from: Bruce on September 21, 2025, 07:41:34 PMQuote from: Thunderbyrd316 on September 21, 2025, 06:11:35 PMThose intersections are BEYOND the newly constructed FULL FREEWAY segment. I would have thought you had been on this forum long enough to know that having a surface intersection on one segment of highway does not change the status of an adjoining segment of highway. For example, US 12 through Elma is FULL FREEWAY as it is through Montesano. The segment in between those two segments with surface intersections has NO effect on those two short segments being FULL FREEWAY. Likewise US 101 is FULL FREEWAY from Interstate 5 to SR 8. The intersections beyond the SR 8 junction have ZERO effect on the freeway segment.
I consider the entire Touchet to Walla Walla section to be a continuous entity and thus if one portion isn't a full freeway, then none of it is. Being on a forum a long time doesn't change the fact that it is colloquially an expressway.
Using this logic, both the Hollywood Freeway and Bayshore Freeway are not freeways because of the few remaining surface intersections between Santa Barbara and San Jose.
You're putting words in my mouth. The continuous section of four-lane divided highway is one entity and would, in other states, have a single name that is commonly used. So that one unit is all that would be considered.
Another example: SR 509 has both freeway and expressway sections that have clear and separate boundaries. The section through the Port of Tacoma has surface intersections and is commonly called a freeway; the section from S. 180th Street to Seattle is a freeway. Being under the same number doesn't preclude one section from being labeled a freeway.