Five transportation projects for sidewalks, overlays and road construction across the Mid-Columbia region will receive nearly $6 million from a state agency.

The Washington Transportation Improvement Board recently announced its annual grant award winners. The board awarded $152 million to 160 projects across the state.

Here are the details of projects in Benton and Franklin counties and the city of Walla Walla:

Benton County

• West Richland: The stretch of Bombing Range Road between Keene Road and Blue Heron Boulevard will have an inch of its existing asphalt ground off and the road overlayed with 2 inches of fresh asphalt. The city received $674,500 of the estimated $950,000 cost, with the project scheduled to be finished in October 2027.
• Benton City: The city will receive $707,257 – 95% of the total project cost – to build new sidewalks along Highway 225 from Babs Avenue to Dale Avenue to create a safe, accessible route for pedestrians. The work is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Franklin County

• Pasco: The city will receive more than $1.3 million, or about 80% of the total project cost, to replace the box culvert where Road 44 crosses the Franklin County Irrigation District canal. The existing culvert only accommodates the roadway, with sidewalks ending at the canal. The improvements will support Ben Franklin Transit’s bus stops along Road 44 while also improving safety for pedestrians, especially those traveling to a multiuse trail to the southwest of the project. Design work will begin in 2026 with completion estimated in March 2027.
• Kahlotus: The city will receive full funding – $303,500 – to chip seal paved roads and double chip seal gravel streets throughout the town to create more paved surfaces. The project is estimated to be completed by the end of October 2026.

Walla Walla County

• Walla Walla: The city will receive $3 million to support the reconstruction of West Poplar Street between Fifth and 14th avenues, including reconfiguring the roadway to four lanes from three along with a continuous center turn lane and bike lanes. The project also includes replacement of existing non-compliant sidewalk with new sidewalk to fill gaps, upgraded lighting and other improvements. The total project cost is estimated at $11,125,000. The city anticipates awarding the contract for the project in March 2026 with completion set for a year after.

This year, the state board received 330 applications from cities and counties, with requests for more than $335 million in funding.