Construction Disruption in Tri-Cities and Spokane Due to Strike

Tri-Cities and Spokane Experiencing Construction Disruption Due to Heavy Equipment Operators’ Strike

Tri-Cities, WA – Heavy equipment operators in the Tri-Cities and Spokane area commenced a strike on Tuesday, initiated by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302. This strike has halted several significant construction projects across the region, affecting both local traffic and ongoing developments.

Strike Details and Impact

The members of Local 302, who operate essential machinery like excavators, cranes, and bulldozers, have taken this action to advocate for fair wages. As the strike unfolds, construction activities have ground to a halt in the Tri-Cities and nearby Spokane, leading to significant disruptions in local traffic and city projects.

In the Tri-Cities, notable projects impacted include:

• Widening of Highway 240: This project is integral to managing increased traffic, especially for employees commuting to the Hanford site.
• Columbia Center Boulevard Project: Upgrades around the Columbia Center mall in Kennewick are currently suspended.

Picketing has been reported at various job sites in the Tri-Cities. Workers from Apollo Inc. were seen displaying “On Strike” signs at the Horn Rapids Landfill, where a gas collection and control system is under construction. Meanwhile, the city of Richland announced that work had ceased on two roundabouts at the intersections of Dallas Road and Badger South.

Additional Affected Projects and Ongoing Work

The contractor responsible for the roundabout projects, Goodman & Mehlenbacher Inc. (GAME Inc.), has also stopped work at various intersections, including Ava Way and Trowbridge. Although some construction activities continue, regular traffic is unaffected at most locations due to the absence of heavy equipment operators on site.

The construction of the Dallas Road roundabouts is privately funded by the developer of Badger South, which highlights the financial implications of the strike on both public and private projects. Further complicating the situation is the announcement from the Washington State Department of Transportation that work on the North Spokane Corridor project is also on hold as a direct result of the strike.

Context and Implications

The frustrations leading to this strike stem from ongoing disputes regarding compensation for heavy equipment operators, a vital workforce for construction in the region. Despite the disruption caused by the strike, union leadership has not provided public updates on the negotiations or the anticipated duration of the strike, and as of now, there has been no response from union officials.

As the situation develops, the immediate impact on traffic and scheduled projects in the Tri-Cities and Spokane raises concerns about potential delays in local infrastructure improvements and their broader economic implications.

This article was published on August 13, 2025, at 3:37 PM.