City seeking funding for study of second Moses Lake crossing

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake will be seeking federal funding to conduct an environmental study of a possible second crossing over Moses Lake. City Manager Rob Karlinsey said Wednesday the environmental study would be the first step in building a second crossing. 

“We are asking for federal dollars to help us pay for what they call an environmental impact statement, a big technical study that looks at the different options and boils it down with one option,” Karlinsey said during a meeting to discuss the project to replace the Hansen Road overpass. “That would be a much bigger step than has ever been taken. The task is getting that EIS done. Once we get that done, then we'll know the location of the lake crossing.” 

Moses Lake City Council members made starting the process for a second lake crossing one of their focus areas for 2026. Karlinsey said council members and Grant County Commissioners will be meeting March 30 to talk about cooperation on a second lake crossing project. 

He said the total estimated cost for the study is about $1.9 million, with the city requesting $1.5 million in federal funding. 

In the case of projects already underway, crews are scheduled to be working through the end of April on crack-sealing along State Route 17 north of Moses Lake. Sebastian Moraga, communications consultant for the Washington Department of Transportation, said crews will be working between mileposts 56 and 67.  

“Expect flaggers and pilot vehicles,” Moraga said.  

Work started in early March on the third year of construction at the Vantage Bridge and will continue through October. Completion is scheduled in 2028. 

All four lanes of the bridge will be open on summer holiday weekends. Those include Memorial Day, May 22 through 26; Fourth of July weekend, July 3 through 6 and Labor Day, Sept. 4 through 8.  

Otherwise, one lane will be closed in each direction throughout the summer travel season. Summer Derrey, WSDOT communications for the South Central Region, said in earlier interviews that speeds are reduced in the construction zone and nine-foot width restrictions.  

Construction is scheduled to begin in late April on a roundabout at the intersection of State Route 17 and Main Street in Othello. Moraga said Othello officials will be getting more information next week. 

The roundabout won’t change the configuration of SR 17, which will stay one lane in each direction. The design includes high curbs and a mound of rock in the middle.