Crews started work the first full week of June on roadway and sidewalk improvements near River Ridge Elementary School, 22420 Military Road S., in the Kent School District.
Work will be done to add sidewalks on the east side of Military Road South between South 225th Place and South 229th Place, just east of Interstate 5 in the city of SeaTac. The Kent School Board approved $3.52 million for the project to be funded by the 2016 bond contingency. Voters approved the bond, which included the new River Ridge school that opened in fall 2021.
“The several-month project will be making significant safety upgrades to the roadway and will include new bike lanes and the construction of a concrete sidewalk,” according to a June 9 school district statement. “In addition, there will be improved lighting, new landscaping and stormwater collection improvements. Once completed, this project will provide a safer route to children attending River Ridge Elementary.”
Children who walk to school must use a shoulder along Military Road South.
The preliminary costs of the project in 2022 ranged from $1.2 million to $1.4 million, according to school district officials. The board in May 2023 approved a $2.3 million bid from Puyallup-based Northwest Cascade Inc. to build the sidewalk. School district officials said a contingency fund, sales taxes and higher costs boosted the price.
The city of SeaTac contributed $500,000 toward the project.
“The excellent collaboration between the school district and the city has resulted in a complex project coming to fruition as quickly as possible to ensure the safety of our children as they walk to and from school,” said William Appleton, city of SeaTac Public Works director.
Crews last week started to clear vegetation and trees along the road. Most of the work will be done when school is out of session. The final day of classes is June 23. The 2023-2024 school year starts Aug. 23.
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