Alder/Poplar reconstruction update

WALLA WALLA – The reconstruction of Alder and Poplar streets from Merriam Street to South Fifth Avenue continues to move toward completion.

When the two projects are finished, the three traffic signals at the intersections of Alder/Park, Alder/Palouse, and Poplar/Palouse, will have been removed and replaced with roundabouts. Other improvements include replaced water, sewer, and storm systems, added bicycle lanes, street lighting, and pedestrian accessibility and safety improvements.

Walla Walla Public Works Communications Coordinator Shane Prudente said some portions of the two projects will be completed earlier than other portions. For example, Poplar Street from Second Avenue to Fifth Avenue should be paved in October or November, and the section of Poplar from Second to Palouse Street should be mostly complete by Thanksgiving. Both sections are expected to reopen to traffic this year. However, there will be several elements, such as the traffic signals at Second and Fifth, landscaping, irrigation, and permanent striping, that may not be completed until spring.

It is not yet clear when the east end of the project will be completed or reopened to traffic. Work from the Alder/Park Street intersection east to Merriam Street is not expected to be completed this year and may not open to traffic until late spring next year. The city and the contractor are discussing options for this section, including whether the work will pause during the winter, or the contractor will work through the cold season.

Photo via city of Walla Walla Public Works

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Elkhorn Media Group

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