Transportation

Major Tri-Cities traffic corridor closed May 14-18

Sun, 10 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Heads up: the ongoing reconstruction of an intersection on a major Richland street means you’ll need to find another way to work, at least for a couple of days.

New bus line to link Tri-Cities and Spokane

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

If you’re tired of getting behind the wheel to get up to and back from the greater Spokane region, you now have an option to kick back and let someone else do the driving for you.

Looking to buy or sell your boat? Act quick to avoid new state tax

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

If you’re thinking about buying a boat to spend the coming summer on the Columbia River, you have until July 1 to avoid a new state sales tax.

Pasco to consider new additional sales tax

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The Pasco City Council will consider on May 4 whether to impose a new 0.1% sales tax to pay for maintaining its roads, further securing its position in the region as the municipality with the highest overall sales tax rate.

Settlement reached in Walla Walla gas station leak

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The owners of a Walla Walla Chevron gas station have reached a settlement with state ecology officials regarding penalties and cleanup costs for a 2023 gasoline leak that contaminated groundwater and led to the evacuation of the historic Marcus Whitman Hotel.

Richland to share updates on one-way street plan

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The city of Richland has been making progress on its plan to turn two major roads into one-way streets, and residents who want to learn more are encouraged to attend an April 28 city council workshop where staff will provide updates on the project.

Richland preparing to revamp key traffic corridor

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Another roundabout? Another roundabout.
Crews started geotechnical drilling this week as part of the lead up to the city of Richland’s redesign of the Highway 240 and Aaron Drive intersection.

Ben Franklin Transit CEO is out

ty@tcjournal.biz — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The board of the Tri-Cities' transit agency unanimously agreed April 9 to fire its embattled top administrator following an investigation into allegations of financial malfeasance.

After sitting idle for years, Pasco Amazon facility set for $30M overhaul

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

A vacant Amazon warehouse in Pasco that cost nearly $140 million to build will soon see another $30 million in improvements to make it operational, reflecting a shift toward increased automation and leaner staffing.

Snake River cruise stop coming to Burbank

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Another port of call for cruises on the Columbia and Snake rivers will be welcoming passengers in the coming years.

New multimillion-dollar terminal bolsters Pasco’s freight network

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

A North Carolina-based trucking company with a long history in the Tri-Cities has opened a new and larger shipping facility north of Pasco.

Two auto part stores shift into expansion mode

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Two auto part companies are expanding their Tri-Cities presence with two new stores.

Soaring diesel prices hit WA family farms' bottom line

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The conflict in Iran has caused fuel prices to soar and Washington State farmers said it hits them hard when they are putting crops in the ground.

BFT leaders to review investigation findings

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Ben Franklin Transit’s board of directors will meet ahead of its regular meeting April 9 to review and discuss findings of a special investigation.

Highway preservation at center of new WA transportation budget

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The $16.6 billion supplemental budget expends about $1.2 billion more than the two-year transportation spending blueprint lawmakers approved last year. Under another bill, Washington will do more borrowing to cover added transportation spending.

Pasco hosting open houses on capital, transportation plans

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The city of Pasco is inviting residents interested in weighing in on updates to the city’s transportation and capital improvement plans to attend upcoming open houses.

Port to close north Pasco road to expand rail to industrial park

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Those relying on Railroad Avenue as part of their daily drive will need to take detours for the last few days of March as the Port of Pasco works toward a critical milestone for its Reimann Industrial Center.

WA governor signs bill driven by fatal Mid-Columbia crashes

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed into law a bill introduced by a Mid-Columbia lawmaker to address dangerous areas on state roadways after repeated fatal crashes at an intersection north of the Tri-Cities.

Army Corps plan for Columbia River dredge spoils could cost SW Washington ports millions

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The federal agency that maintains the Columbia River’s shipping channel is proposing to build seven giant in-water pens as part of a $377 million project to manage dredge spoils over the next 20 years. Meanwhile, the river’s shipping industry is working to get local ports off the hook for part of the $132 million they will soon have to pay for the project.

Tri-City drivers are paying about $1 more per gallon than a month ago

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Spring break is just around the corner, and if you’re driving to take some time off, you’ll be shelling out a good bit more at the pump.

Dallas Road roundabout construction picks back up

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

After a pause during the winter months, construction on the Dallas Road roundabouts is picking back up starting March 16.

Federal judge orders increased spill from Snake, Columbia dams

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

A recent federal ruling that sets how much water must spill from and stay behind the lower Snake and some Columbia River dams is garnering mixed reactions from advocates for the infrastructure that supports agriculture, energy and transportation needs across the Pacific Northwest.

Builders launch campaign to encourage fed transportation spending

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

One of the nation’s largest contractor organizations is launching a campaign to encourage federal lawmakers to boost spending on transportation projects as a means to grow the economy while also creating demand for construction jobs.

Next phase of Steptoe construction starts Feb. 23

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

If you use the Steptoe Street corridor for your daily commute, be prepared for the next phase of lane closures, reduced speeds and traffic revisions beginning Feb. 23.

Transportation Briefs – February 2026

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Transportation Briefs – February 2026

Ben Franklin Transit CEO steps aside amid investigation

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

The CEO of Ben Franklin Transit is taking voluntary paid administrative leave while an ongoing investigation into financial allegations continues amid union tensions.

How Oasis Freight scaled from mom-and-pop to multistate powerhouse

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

This Kennewick-based company’s small business success story is one that entrepreneurs dream about.

Millions in climate dollars go toward transportation projects

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Nearly $111.8 million in funding from the state’s Climate Commitment Act was spent in Benton and Franklin counties during the 2025 fiscal year, according to state-provided data.

Port plots rail access plan for cold storage provider

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

The Port of Pasco is hoping Darigold will sell a sliver of the land its new processing facility sits on north of Pasco so the port can provide rail access to a neighboring lot at its Reimann Industrial Center.

State continues studying potential impacts of Snake River dam removal

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

The federal government may have pulled out of an agreement that could have led to removal of the four Lower Snake River dams, but the state continues to evaluate how their removal in the future could impact transportation networks.