Walla Walla County faces infrastructure funding crisis

WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla County is grappling with a looming transportation funding crisis as maintenance costs outpace revenues, County Engineer Joel Dickerson told the Washington State Transportation Commission on April 21.

Dickerson, who marked one year on the job, presented a sobering look at the county’s 1,000-mile road network, noting that 85 percent of the county’s freight and goods transportation routes are rated as “deficient.” Issues range from weight restrictions and narrow widths to failing road bases and inadequate pedestrian access.

Funding Pressures

Walla Walla County faces a 7 percent annual increase in fixed expenses driven by inflation, which has boosted project costs by 50 percent over the last four years. Meanwhile, revenues – primarily from limited property and gas taxes – are growing at only 3 percent annually and are expected to flatten or decline.

“If we continue doing business the way that we have – we go negative and continue going negative,” Dickerson warned, showing projections where fund balances disappear within a few years.

Maintenance Challenges

To cope, the county has extended its chip seal cycle from 9 to 12 years, leaving roads vulnerable to additional wear. Bridges are also a concern; while the county has 220 bridges, 18 are currently rated in poor condition.

Despite these challenges, Dickerson highlighted recent successes, including:

• The completion of the Pettyjohn Bridge replacement.
• Efficient edge-widening techniques developed by county crews.
• Rebuilding two miles of Lower Waitsburg Road.

Dickerson urged support for legislative efforts to address declining gas tax revenues and emphasized the need to prioritize proactive maintenance to avoid massive future capital costs.

Before & after photo of the Pettyjohn Bridge courtesy Walla Walla County Public Works

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Elkhorn Media Group