The City of Walla Walla is providing an update on the Howard Street IRRP and Myra Road South Extension projects, which have been paused since Aug. 12, 2025, due to an ongoing labor dispute between private construction contractors and their employees.

This week, limited work resumed on Howard Street with the installation of the first lift of asphalt paving. Additional subcontractor work is expected to continue on the project. However, additional asphalt paving, signing, and striping will still be required before the roadway can reopen.

Taumarson Road is scheduled to temporarily reopen to traffic on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. The roadway is being graveled and prepared for temporary use. Drivers and motorcyclists are encouraged to use caution and reduce speeds through the construction area. The City had remained optimistic that a resolution would be reached sooner; however, for public convenience, the road will be temporarily reopened. This gravel work will need to be removed later, adding time to the overall project—a step the City had hoped to avoid if the labor dispute had been resolved earlier. Once the dispute is resolved and work resumes, Taumarson Road will again be closed to traffic for construction.

To learn more about these projects and planned improvements, please visit GoWallaWalla.us.