GRANT COUNTY — Seventeen miles of highway between Moses Lake and Ephrata will be paved this year, with passing lanes added.

The $6.2 million construction project creates at least 75 jobs using federal stimulus money.

State Route 17 and state Route 282 will be paved and four miles of passing lanes will be built, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The project was awarded to Granite Northwest.

The money is from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Construction is expected to begin at the end of this month.

“This is another example of Washington state putting federal dollars to work quickly and responsibly to improve our roads while getting people back to work,” stated Gov. Chris Gregoire. “By moving forward efficiently and with accountability, we are positioning our state to receive additional federal funding to support and create even more jobs.”

There will be three passing lanes heading northbound and southbound.

The northbound passing lane will extend from South Neppel Road to Northlake Road.

The southbound passing lane will be from North Neppel Road to Northlake Road. There will also be a passing lane from South Neppel Road to McConihe Road.

The lanes vary from a half-mile to two miles in length.

For more information about the project, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr17/northmoseslakepassinglane.