Motorists will see increased construction activity on a project to improve the 62nd Avenue Northwest and 144th Street Northwest intersection starting July 1.

Some preparation work – including excavation work along 62nd Avenue Northwest and driveway work along 144th Street Northwest – began June 10. Utility companies will continue relocating utility lines and poles through late June. 

The project will increase the safety and efficiency of the intersection. Improvements include a new traffic signal, street lighting on 144th Street Northwest, turn lanes on 144th Street Northwest and 62nd Avenue Northwest, retaining walls, and stormwater treatment and detention facilities.

Construction schedule

The majority of the work will be completed during the summer months to minimize impacts to Peninsula School District students, staff and parents.

The work started in April. From April 9-16, crews cleared bushes and trees, removed guardrails and excavated shoulders. Utility companies began relocating utility lines and poles April 26. 

Starting July 1, crews will install retaining walls and temporary drainage facilities, and construct a temporary one-lane bypass road along the shoulder of the east side of 62nd Avenue Northwest. 

While the bypass road is in place, crews will excavate and rebuild 62nd Avenue Northwest. A stormwater detention vault will be installed under the road before the road is rebuilt. The bypass is expected to be removed Aug. 15-16.

From late August to late September, crews will widen and resurface 144th Street Northwest, continue installing storm drainage facilities and retaining walls, install street lights, apply temporary striping, and install guardrails.

Work will be suspended from late September to mid-December while traffic signal poles are being delivered. The new traffic signal system will then be completed. 

The project is expected to be complete in early 2020.

Traffic impacts

During construction, crews will work from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p. m. Monday to Friday. Crews may work until 7:30 p.m. for several weeks this summer when the vault is being installed.

There will be alternating one-way traffic on 144th Street Northwest during work hours throughout the project as needed. 

There will be alternating one-way traffic along 62nd Avenue Northwest 24-hours a day, seven days a week while the bypass road is in place from early July to mid-August.

Active Construction Inc. is the contractor. The construction cost is approximately $2.4 million and is funded with County Road Funds.

A project webpage is available at www.piercecountywa.gov/crp5801.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Anne Radford, Planning and Public Works public information specialist

253-798-2464

[email protected]