Work to improve sidewalks and pedestrian visibility along Park Avenue South between 125th Street South and Garfield Street South will begin Aug. 29. The work is expected to be complete in late November.
The project will include new six-foot sidewalks and concrete curbs and gutters on the east side of Park Avenue South between 122nd Street South and Garfield Street South. The existing sidewalk has significant buckling from tree root growth, making it challenging for pedestrians and individuals using wheelchairs.
New curb bulb-outs, which shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians and increase their visibility to motorists, and ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act will be installed on the east side of Park Avenue South at 122nd Street South and Garfield Street South. New ramps will be built on the west side of Park Avenue at those locations.
Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons and marked crosswalks will be installed at the 125th Street South and Park Avenue South intersection and the 122nd Street South and Park Avenue South intersection. These beacons are located on each end of the crosswalk, and flash to notify motorists that a pedestrian is about to cross. New lighting will also be installed at the 125th Street South and Park Avenue South intersection, and from 122nd Street South to Garfield Street South.
“This work to improve pedestrian access will benefit local businesses, Pacific Lutheran University students and faculty, and the surrounding neighborhood,” said Brian Stacy, P.E., Pierce County Public Works county engineer. “Pedestrians will also be more visible to motorists, thanks to the addition of the curb bulb-outs, Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons and lighting.”
Project schedule
On Aug. 29 and 30, crews will remove vegetation and trees that have damaged the sidewalk on the east side of Park Avenue South from 122nd Street East to Garfield Street East. Pacific Lutheran University will plant new trees on its campus to offset the loss of the trees. Crews will also remove vegetation on the north side of 122nd Street South and the north and south sides of Garfield Street South.
The sidewalks on these roads will be closed until the project is completed. A pedestrian detour route will be in place during the closure. Pedestrian access will be maintained at the intersection of 125th Street South and Park Avenue South throughout the project.Starting Sept. 6, utility companies will be onsite for approximately two weeks to relocate utility lines on the east side of Park Avenue South. Additional utility work may be needed beyond this period.
Garfield Street South will be closed for 10 days in mid-September between Park Avenue South and C Street South while crews install curbs and gutters. The closure will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
Active Construction Inc. is the project contractor. The total project cost is approximately $966,675. The project is funded with approximately $479,600 in Washington State Transportation Improvement Board funds, $436,765 in County Road Funds, and $50,400 from Pacific Lutheran University.
A project webpage is available at www.piercecountywa.org/parkave.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jerry Bryant, P.E., Public Works field engineering manager
(253) 798-3682
[email protected]
Anne Radford, Public Works public information specialist
(253) 798-2464
[email protected]