The Whitman County Commissioners have approved an agreement to pursue a grant for a proposed truck route aimed at alleviating freight traffic in downtown Pullman. The decision was made with a vote of two to one on Monday, allowing a partnership with the City of Moscow to engage a consultant for the federal grant application process.

The plan, which has been under consideration for some time, focuses on a Southern route around Pullman. Following a recent study by the Palouse Regional Transportation Planning Organization, it was determined that a $19 million East/West truck route south of town is the most viable option. This route is expected to decrease the number of trucks in downtown Pullman by approximately 250 per day and alleviate some congestion in downtown Moscow as well.

The proposed truck route will start Southeast of Moscow at the intersection of Mountain View Road and Palouse River Drive, extending westward along Palouse River Drive to U.S. Highway 95 south of Moscow, and continuing to the state line and Sand Road in Washington. The route then proceeds west on Kirkendahl Road south of Pullman to U.S. Highway 195. This option is noted as the most costly among those evaluated.

The Moscow City Council has also endorsed the agreement, committing to contribute up to $13,500 for the consultant firm Welch Comer to assist in securing federal funding for the design and engineering of the truck route. Whitman County’s agreement will allocate up to $31,500 for the same purpose.

Commissioner Chad Whetzel expressed his opposition to the agreement, raising concerns regarding the project. Meanwhile, Commissioners Art Swannack and Tom Handy voted in favor of the initiative, supporting the application for federal funding.