Detours coming for Hanford workers, Richland drivers. Hwy 240 work starts soon

An $8 million project to update Highway 240 in Richland will involve road closures, though not as extensive as initially described.

The Washington State Department of Transportation has started work on the project, which will require nightly closures between 6 p.m. and 4 a.m., Sunday evenings through Saturday mornings, with work expected to wrap up in August.

Detours will direct drivers to use Kingsgate Way, Battelle Boulevard and Stevens Drive to bypass the section of highway that is being updated with new safety features.

Workers are already installing a noise wall along the south side of the highway, near Moon River RV Resort. They are also paving and repairing Kingsgate, Battelle and Stevens to handle the added traffic.

In June, the contractor will begin work at the Hagen Road intersection, which includes reconstructing and widening the highway, and updating traffic signals, pedestrian crossings, lights and signs.

That’s when detours are expected to begin.

“We understand that construction can be an inconvenience, but traveler safety and the safety of workers is our top priority,” said Alejandro Sanguino, WSDOT project engineer.

The project is funded by Connecting Washington, the 2015 transportation package funded by gas taxes.

Go to wsdot.com.