Fewer projects, but drivers should be mindful of ongoing roadwork

MOSES LAKE — Multiple road construction projects in Eastern Washington may impact drivers during travel over the next few weeks. 

Drivers using Columbia Way in Quincy will be directed to detour routes at the railroad crossing near the intersection with Division Street East. The railroad crossing will be closed starting Monday while crews work to install new steel piping under the railroad tracks and repave sections of the road torn up by the construction. The project is projected to last through early December.  

Quincy City Administrator Pat Haley said the project was scheduled for earlier in the summer but had to be revised to fit the plans of BNSF, the railroad owner.  

Grant County Public Works employees are replacing the railing on a bridge at M Street Northwest and Road O Northwest in Quincy that was damaged by an unknown vehicle. 

“The city of Quincy requested the county’s help with the repair of their bridge,” wrote Dave Bren, Grant County Engineer, in response to a Columbia Basin Herald email. “The city will reimburse the county for the repair work.” 

Tim Massey, county bridge crew supervisor, said the work started Thursday. 

Work will begin in mid-October on a project to repave a section of the Lind-Hatton Road in Adams County, which will require closing it.  

Adams County Engineer Scott Yaeger said in an earlier interview that the section is about five miles north of State Route 26 between a section of South Damon Road and Phillips Road to the BNSF railroad crossing. About 2.98 miles will be paved. 

The project is scheduled to last through summer 2025 and two miles of the road will be closed over the winter. A detour will be available; over the winter traffic will be routed on paved roads, he said. The detour route will change in spring 2025 and will include gravel roads.   

Work will continue through the end of the month on the first phase of the Vantage Bridge. One lane is open in each direction seven days a week. Construction will end Nov. 1, and both lanes will reopen. Construction will resume in April 2025. 

Loads over nine feet wide are prohibited in the construction zone, and Washington State Patrol troopers are working both ends of the bridge to enforce the restrictions, according to a WSDOT press release. The speed limit in the work zone is 40 miles per hour, and that too is being enforced by WSP.