June 21, 2012
Pierce County will close a section of 112th Street East on June 25 for six weeks as part of a road construction project.
112th Street East will be closed between Fruitland Avenue East and Woodland Avenue East until early August. A detour route has been set, and drivers should plan ahead for increased travel times.
“This closure is needed because we are lowering the road by as much as five feet,” said Henry Gertje, Public Works and Utilities construction engineering supervisor. “Construction would be expensive and slow if traffic lanes remained open during the excavation of this area. Closing the road will greatly shorten the time needed to safely complete the work.”
The contractor will work from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. During the closure, crews will also install curbs, gutters, sidewalks, drainage systems and pavement. Once the work is complete, this section of 112th will be finished, with the exception of some pavement overlays.
Drivers should be aware that work will continue along 112th Street East between Fruitland Avenue East and 86th Street East through the fall, although this section of road will remain open to traffic.
Detour route
Flaggers will be onsite during the closure to assist residents and business customers.
Drivers heading west will turn right on Fruitland Avenue, left on 104th Street East, left on Woodland Avenue East and right onto 112th Street East.
Drivers heading east will turn left on Woodland Avenue East, right on 104th Street East, right on Fruitland Avenue East, and left onto 112th Street East.
A map of the detour route is available at www.piercecountywa.org/112.
Part of a larger project
The county is improving nearly a mile of 112th Street East from Woodland Avenue East to 86th Avenue East. The project is on schedule and is expected to be completed in the fall, weather permitting.
Improvements include:
• Expanding to five lanes with a two-way, left-turn lane.
• Adding concrete curbs, gutters, and sidewalks.
• Adding an enclosed storm drain system, as well as stormwater treatment and storage facilities.
• Adding a new traffic signal at 78th Avenue East.
• Improving the traffic signal at Fruitland Avenue East.
• Installing street lighting.
Northwest Construction, Inc. is the contractor. The contract amount for the project is $4.7 million.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Henry Gertje, P.E., Public Works and Utilities construction engineering supervisor
253-798-6826
[email protected]
Anne Radford, public information officer
253-798-2464
[email protected]