PULLMAN, WA – The repaving of U.S. Highway 195 near Pullman has been shut down because of a union strike.

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302 has gone on strike.  The Washington State Department of Transportation has issued a statement that the strike has halted the repaving of nine miles of US195 near Pullman.

That work started earlier this month as crews were set to repave the highway from State Route 27 South of town to Babbitt Road to the north.  The local company Poe Asphalt was hired for the 3.5 million dollar job which was scheduled to end in late September.  the paving work was set to run during the evenings causing significant overnight traffic delays.

The project also involves guardrail work which was causing some delays during the day.  WASDOT officials say the strike has also shut down the daytime work so there are no delays currently on US195 near Pullman.

Union officials have failed to respond to a request for comment from Pullman Radio News.  No other local highway construction jobs here on the Palouse are affected by the strike.