Groundbreaking for Benton City roundabout is Dec. 15

Officials will break ground on a long-awaited roundabout project Dec. 15 in Benton City.

The roundabout at the Interstate 82 interchange with highways 224 and 225 is considered the first phase of Red Mountain improvements on the freeway.

Curtis King, R-Yakima, the state Senate Transportation Committee Chairman, Benton City Mayor Lloyd Carnahan, Brian White, the state Department of Transportation acting regional administrator, and Federal Highway Administration Regional Administrator Dan Mathis are among the dignitaries scheduled to attend.

Attendees are asked to meet for the 10 a.m. ceremony west of the Conoco station. The event will move to the Benton City Community Center, 802 Eighth St. if the weather is bad.

The $2.7 million roundabout project is the first to start construction under the $16 billion transportation package the Legislature passed last year. Also included in the $28 million Red Mountain project is a new interchange about four miles west of the roundabout.

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Groundbreaking for Benton City roundabout is Dec. 15."