County to begin 1.5 million in bridge, road safety projects

Whitman County will soon begin construction of nearly $1.5 million worth of federally funded road projects.

One project will replace what Public Works Director Mark Storey called the “incredible, jumping and moving” Hatley Bridge on Wawawai Road, which crosses Union Flat Creek just north of the Wawawai grade.

Storey said the 120-foot long bridge has moved more than a foot off its foundation since it was built in 1971.

Roughly $680,000 of federal bridge dollars will be used to fix the bridge.

Another $750,000 will be used to fund safety improvements on the county’s road system.

About $370,000 w...