The raising of 76th Avenue South in Kent to reduce flooding is nearing completion.
The section of the road between South 228th Street and South 212th Street has been raised by about 3 feet, which is above the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 100-year flood elevation, according to city Public Works staff.
Crews also are installing sidewalks with planter strips, new streetlights and new storm drainage. The raised section of the road was done in concrete to help the street last longer.
The street serves about 5,800 businesses and more than 77,000 employees. A high number of trucks use the road daily. Aerospace company Blue Origin opened a new headquarters, a large blue building, along the road in January 2020.
Lanes are open to both southbound and northbound traffic after northbound lanes were closed for several months due to construction.
Work is expected to be completed in the spring, according to city staff.
The City Council awarded a $4.4 million contract in May to Puyallup-based Northwest Cascade Inc., to complete the work. The city received a $2.5 million grant from the state Transportation Improvement Board to help pay for the project. Additional funds are from the city B&O tax and utility funds.
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Aerospace company Blue Origin, blue building on the left, is one of the many businesses served by 76th Avenue South, which has been raised 3 feet to reduce flooding. City staff used a drone to take this photo. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
