Work on several miles along Highway 224 in West Richland and on Dallas Road in Richland has been halted as workers with one union call for a strike. 

The city of West Richland received notice from contractor Apollo Inc. of the project’s delay due to the strike by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 302, according to a release. IUOE 302 represents heavy-equipment operators and stationary building operators among others. 

“We do not know how long the strike will last,” the city said in a release. “Apollo’s three-week look ahead schedule assumes workers will return Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, but this is not confirmed.” 

The highway is already closed to through traffic between Paradise Way and the Ruppert Road-Belmont Boulevard intersection. Traffic is being detoured along Paradise Way, Keene Road and Ruppert, and Apollo will continue managing the project site and traffic control for the detours.

Meanwhile, developer-led improvements at two intersections on Dallas Road are also halted due to a labor dispute, according to the city of Richland. That project is being done by contractor Goodman & Mehlenbacher Inc. of Kennewick and also includes IUOE 302 workers. 

IUOE 302, which is based in Bothell, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.