COLFAX, WA – Miscommunication about the plans for building a new highway junction on the North end of Colfax has led to the project being delayed.

The transportation package recently approved by the Washington Legislature includes a provision delaying the project for the U.S. Highway 195 and State Route 26 interchange. The 13 million dollar job was scheduled to start in October and is now delayed to 2029.

Local Washington State Representative Joe Schmick got the delay in the package over concerns from Colfax businesses. Schmick says the chamber of commerce believed the work would harm downtown businesses because of the detour. He was told by the chamber that the detour during the two year project would route traffic away from Main Street downtown.

WSDOT spokesman Ryan Overton in Spokane tells Pullman Radio News that the project’s detour will not route traffic out of downtown. The work will replace the aging US195 bridges over the Palouse River with one span. While the upriver bridge is demolished and rebuilt the adjacent downriver span will be used for traffic in both directions. Once the new bridge is complete the older span will be removed. The project will also build a roundabout for the junction where the Chevron gas station is currently located.

Schmick says the community and WSDOT need to reach an accurate understanding of the project before moving forward.  You can listen to Schmick’s comments below.

Overton says that WSDOT officials will be meeting with Colfax businesses in the near future.
The project has been in the planning stages for several years.