Paving Work to Begin on US 12 Near Alpowa Summit

Drivers should expect delays as crews repave a 3-mile stretch of highway west of Clarkston.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:51pm

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A heavily textured oil painting landscape showing a winding mountain highway cutting through a forested terrain, with the road surface reflecting the warm hues of the sky above, conceptually representing the upcoming paving project on U.S. Highway 12.A scenic stretch of U.S. Highway 12 in eastern Washington will undergo essential paving work, temporarily disrupting travel but ensuring the road's long-term safety and reliability.Clarkston Today

The Washington State Department of Transportation has announced that paving work will begin on April 7 on a 3-mile section of U.S. Highway 12 near Alpowa Summit, west of Clarkston. The project is expected to continue through late June, with single-lane closures in the eastbound direction and traffic guided through the work zone using flaggers and automated devices.

Why it matters

This stretch of US 12 is a major transportation route connecting eastern Washington to the Tri-Cities and beyond. The paving work is necessary to maintain the highway and ensure safe travel, but the lane closures and delays will impact commuters, commercial vehicles, and tourists passing through the area.

The details

Crews will be repaving the roadway between mileposts 419 and 422, a distance of approximately 15 miles west of Clarkston. Work will take place Monday through Friday, with a single eastbound lane closure in place to guide traffic through the work zone. Drivers should expect delays and plan for extra travel time. No restrictions for wide loads are anticipated during the project, but additional work like guardrail repairs is expected to follow the paving operations.

  • Paving work will begin on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • The project is expected to continue through late June 2026.

The players

Washington State Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for maintaining and improving Washington's transportation infrastructure, including U.S. Highway 12.

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What’s next

Drivers should check for updates on road conditions and lane closures as the project progresses through the spring and summer months.

The takeaway

This paving project on US 12 near Alpowa Summit is a necessary infrastructure improvement, but it will require patience and planning from drivers as they navigate the work zone and delays over the next few months.