Lower Waitsburg Road work continues; commissioners approve final order vacating Git Cummings right‑of‑way

Walla Walla County Public Works staff updated the Board of Commissioners on May 19 about progress on the Lower Waitsburg Road reconstruction and the status of a right‑of‑way vacation request for a section of Git Cummings Road.

Lower Waitsburg Road: Public Works reported continued progress on the Lower Waitsburg Road reconstruction project, including installation of a large box culvert at the Martin Bridge crossing and realignment of Valley Grove intersection for improved sightlines. The county said poor soils in some excavated areas and recent rainy weather have added time to the contractor’s critical path. Staff said the contract’s original July 3 completion target was now more likely to fall in the week of July 14.

Public Works also warned that contractors cannot work effectively in wet dirt conditions and that scheduled chip seal operations are weather‑dependent; the department said chip seal activity would begin as weather allows. The county asked motorists to avoid the construction area and confirmed farm‑equipment access will continue to be accommodated.

Right‑of‑way vacation: The board opened and closed a public hearing with no public testimony and approved a final order vacating a never‑built portion of the Git Cummings Road right‑of‑way in the vicinity of Sections 11 and 12, Township 7 North, Range 31 East, W.M. A corrected motion clarified the referenced sections before the board approved the final order 2–0.

Ending: Public Works will continue construction, coordinate with utilities and surveyors for related right‑of‑way matters, and proceed with public notifications to adjacent landowners where acquisitions or temporary easements are required.