Public Works moves to set hearings, hire real-estate services for two right-of-way actions

Walla Walla County’s public-works items on Sept. 8 included a motion to set a public hearing on a petition to vacate a small portion of Mill Creek Road right-of-way near Section 16, Township 7 North, Range 37 East, and approval to sign a local-agency real-estate professional services agreement to assist with right-of-way acquisition for Meinburg Bridge.

Joel Dickerson, county engineer, said the Mill Creek Road location contains excess right-of-way (the county typically holds 30 feet from centerline but the parcel has about 85 feet), and the county supports vacating a small corner of the ROW while retaining a utility easement for a City of Walla Walla water check-in station. The board set the public hearing date by motion and vote 3-0.

On the Meinburg Bridge project, Joel said the county expects construction in 2027 or 2028 and is beginning right-of-way offers; commissioners approved signing a local-agency real-estate professional-services agreement to secure valuation and negotiation assistance for property acquisition associated with the bridge project. The board approved both actions 3-0.