Crews continue to work on the raising of 76th Avenue South in Kent that serves about 5,800 businesses and more than 77,000 employees
The city has closed the northbound lanes to through traffic to raise the road by about 3 feet between South 212th Street and South 228th Street to eliminate the annual flooding problem. A one-way southbound lane remains open and traffic control is in place.
Crews, which started construction in June, will raise the roadway above the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 100-year flood elevation, according to city staff. Crews also will add sidewalks with planter strips, new streetlights, new storm drainage and a new water line. The raised section of the road will be done in concrete to help the street last longer. A high number of trucks use the road daily.
The City Council awarded a $4.4 million contract in May to Puyallup-based Northwest Cascade Inc., to complete Phase 1 of the project, which is expected to be done by the end of the year. 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.
The work is being done in three phases, with an estimated total cost of $12 million, according to city staff. Phase 1 will go from the 22400 block to the 21700 block of 76th Avenue South. Phase 2 will go from the 21700 to 21400 block and Phase 3 from the 21400 to 21100 block.
Aerospace company Blue Origin opened a new headquarters along the road in January.
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