Most 2026 road projects wrapping up -- except Hansen Road overpass

OTHELLO — A project to add new and more visible stop signs at intersections along SR 17 between Moses Lake and Othello, which was supposed to start this week, has been rescheduled but is still happening this fall. 

"They're supposed to start next week," said Adams County Engineer Scott Yeager Tuesday. 

The "high volume corridor" traffic safety project will add rumble strips and what are called stop bars – those strips in the road as drivers approach a stop sign – at the intersections of 14 county roads and SR 17. Rumble strips will be added also, along with new and more visible stop signs. Delivery delays in project materials led to the construction delays, Yaeger told Adams County Commissioners.  

The intersection at A Street Northeast and Third Avenue Northeast will be closed starting today through Wednesday Crews will be preparing the roadbed, then paving the intersection, according to a media release from the city. 

It's one of the last active projects of the summer and is scheduled for completion in about two weeks. The upgrades are part of a larger project to accommodate truck traffic in and out of nearby industrial businesses while reducing disruption in adjoining residential neighborhoods.  

The street is being rebuilt from the roadbed up, widened with sidewalks added on one side. The other side borders the railroad tracks, and a guardrail will be added between the tracks and the street.  

The construction zone stretches from the Third Avenue Northeast intersection down A Street and around the corner on Sixth Avenue Northeast to B Street Northeast. It connects with previous road improvements. 

The intersection at A Street and Third Avenue is open during the period children are going to and from school and closed the rest of the time. The intersection is accessible from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 2:30 to 4 p.m. Monday, and Tuesday through Friday from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 to 4 p.m. 

Most projects planned for 2026 have been completed, although one or two major ones are still ongoing. Work on the Vantage Bridge will continue through the end of the construction season in late October. Replacement of the bridge deck will be about halfway complete when construction ends for the season. Completion is scheduled for 2028. 

Drivers along Interstate 90 are encountering delays at the bridge, of course, on weekends and intermittently throughout the week. Traffic is restricted to one lane in the construction zone with reduced speeds.  

There is one project that will continue after all others are shut down for the winter. Crews are working on support pillars for the Hansen Road overpass. That project will continue until it's done, which is scheduled for late 2026 or early 2027. 

There are some traffic restrictions, at least for eastbound drivers – only one lane will be open eastbound for the duration of the project. Westbound drivers will have two lanes, although the lanes shift to accommodate construction. Speeds are reduced in the construction zone. 

Drivers attempting to access Mae Valley and the area south of I-90 must take alternate routes, depending on the direction they're driving.  

Westbound drivers have direct access to Mae Valley via the Hansen Road exit; the Moses Lake exit at West Broadway Avenue is the most direct route for eastbound travelers. That's the U-turn back to Hansen Road.  

Eastbound drivers have direct access to the area south of I-90 at the Hansen Road offramp. For people driving westbound, the nearest access is the Hiawatha Road offramp, then backtracking down South Frontage Road.