The repaving of U.S. Highway 195 near Pullman has been rescheduled for next year due to a recent union strike. The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302 concluded their strike this week, which had started on August 12th. This labor dispute impacted several highway projects in Eastern Washington, including the 9-mile repaving project on US195 near Pullman.

Officials from the Washington State Department of Transportation have confirmed that work and associated traffic delays have been postponed until spring. Poe Asphalt has been contracted for the $3.5 million project. With asphalt plants scheduled to close in early October, there is insufficient time to resume work this fall. Crews had begun initial work on the project for a week prior to the strike, including grinding out a section of US195 in “Harlow’s Dip” just north of Pullman to prepare for the new asphalt surface.