Truck weigh station at WA-Oregon border being demolished. Here’s the $14M reason why

A weigh station that greets motorists crossing the Columbia River from Oregon into Eastern Washington is being demolished.

The Plymouth Weigh Station at Interstate 82 and Highway 14 will be closed until late next year.

The Washington State Department of Transportation in partnership with the Washington State Patrol launched the $14 million, project this summer.

The two agencies concluded the key port of entry needed an update to carry out its mission to screen commercial vehicles for compliance with state regulations.

The project includes the total demolition of the old scale house and associated infrastructure.

When demolition wraps up, a new scale house, inspection building and restroom will be constructed, along with new electrical, mechanical, water and sewage systems, pavement, curbs, gutters, safety barriers, lights and more.

The upgrades include two scale pits, one on either side of the building, as well as an inspection building with two bays and a pit.

The new station will boast electronic screening equipment.

Electronic screening systems allow enforcement agencies to waive more vehicles past weigh stations, saving money, fuel and time.

WSDOT estimates its system processed more than 6.5 million commercial trucks statewide in 2023.

Of those, 3.36 million equipped with transponders or identified by license plates received green light signals allowing them to bypass open weigh stations, up from 3.08 million in 2022.

A WSDOT spokesperson confirmed the new station is expected to open in fall 2025.

Granite Construction Co. of Yakima is the contractor The project is funded by the state and includes provisions to support small businesses and veteran-owned businesses.

This story was originally published December 3, 2024 at 12:41 PM.