Washington Road Crews Will Close Intersections in September
Construction on U.S. 12 and other local intersections will begin on September 28, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Construction
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The Washington State Department of Transportation will close the U.S. 12 and Eschbach Road intersection for three days starting September 28, 2026. Crews will also implement lane closures at a nearby roundabout as part of a larger highway improvement project.
Why it matters
New eastbound acceleration lanes are being constructed at multiple intersections to provide extra space for merging vehicles. These upgrades are intended to improve overall traffic flow and safety for commuters on U.S. 12.
The U.S. 12 and Eschbach Road intersection will be fully closed for 3 days to facilitate the construction of new eastbound acceleration lanes. This work is part of an ongoing project that also includes installing lighting and landscaping at the Lateral A-Highway 97 roundabout.
The players
Washington State Department of Transportation
This agency is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of the state's transportation infrastructure.
The details
Construction crews are focusing on building new eastbound acceleration lanes at the intersections of Eschbach Road, Ackley Road, and Clover Lane. Additionally, workers will install lighting and landscaping at the Lateral A-Highway 97 roundabout throughout the closure period.
Timeline
September 28, 2026: The U.S. 12 and Eschbach Road closure begins.
September 30, 2026: Construction closures at the intersection and roundabout conclude.
December 2026: The overall construction project pauses for the winter season.
Spring 2027: Construction activity on the highway project resumes.
Late spring 2027: The project is expected to be fully completed.
Market Landscape
This project aligns with regional efforts to modernize highway infrastructure by addressing bottleneck areas at high-traffic intersections. Such capital improvements mirror broader industry trends toward enhancing throughput and reducing collision risks on aging state highway networks.
Drivers using U.S. 12 should prepare for traffic delays and potential detours during the three-day intersection closure. Travelers are advised to plan for longer commute times when navigating through the Eschbach Road, Ackley Road, and Clover Lane areas during the final days of September.
The takeaway
Commuters should monitor local traffic alerts before heading out, as construction schedules are subject to change based on weather and site conditions. Staying informed about project phases through spring 2027 will help motorists avoid unexpected delays in these work zones.
Further reading
For more information on state infrastructure developments, visit the Construction section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Yakima Herald-Republic.
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