State Senators Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, Curtis King, R-Yakima, and Keith Goehner, R-Dryden are calling on the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to reallocate federal bridge funding toward a more pressing infrastructure need in the City of Zillah.

In a joint letter sent this week to WSDOT’s Local Programs Director Jay Drye, the lawmakers urged the agency to administratively reprogram FFY 2023 federal bridge funds, originally awarded to the Zillah Heights Bridge Replacement Project, toward the replacement of the Schooley Bridge, a critical connector in the region that city officials have identified as their top infrastructure priority.

“While both projects offer benefits, the Schooley Bridge project is ready to go and delivers broader and more immediate value to the community,” said Sen. Torres. “It connects residents to schools, emergency services, and future development areas, this is about directing limited resources to the most impactful project.”

The Schooley Bridge (Bridge No. ZILLAH-02) was considered for funding under the same federal grant cycle as the Zillah Heights Bridge but was not selected. According to city and county leaders, subsequent project development has made clear that Schooley Bridge not only serves a larger population but also plays a strategic role in supporting future residential and economic expansion in the region.

City officials are prepared to move forward with the Schooley Bridge project without delay, and local support for the reallocation is strong. The legislators emphasized that the move would ensure federal funds are deployed in a timely and efficient manner, rather than delayed due to competing priorities or slower project timelines.

The lawmakers are requesting that WSDOT work with the City of Zillah to reprogram the funds and expedite project implementation.