EVERETT — Drivers should brace for a road-widening project scheduled to start Monday north of Silver Lake.
The city project involves nearly one-half mile of 112th Street SE between the Bothell-Everett Highway and Silver Lake Road, near I-5. It’s the last stretch of the bustling east-west artery to undergo a major makeover.
The work is bound to cause frequent traffic stops and delays until it wraps up toward the middle of 2013. Poor weather could delay that timeline.
“During peak travel times, unless you are going to have a lot of patience and you want to listen to the radio, definitely try to find some alternate routes,” Everett city spokeswoman Kate Reardon said.
“It’s going to take some time, but that stretch of the roadway will be better when we’re done.”
The Everett City Council in August approved a nearly $3.2 million low bid for the work from Razz Construction of Bellingham.
The road, for now, has two eastbound lanes, one westbound lane and a center turn lane.
The upcoming work will add a fifth lane. It also includes upgrades to water mains, storm drains and traffic signals. It also calls for new retaining walls, sidewalks and bike lanes.
While work is ongoing, the contractor will provide signs and flaggers to reroute traffic. The city hopes to keep at least one lane open to traffic at all times.
The 112th Street corridor is part of an important commuter route connecting the Bothell-Everett Highway to Paine Field.
Working has been under way on other portions of the corridor for about 15 years, Reardon said.
On weekdays, between 12,000 and 20,000 cars and trucks travel the route. That’s less busy than streets such as Broadway, Evergreen Way or Everett Mall Way, but more than most other major arterials within Everett.
In addition to the money paid to the contractor, Everett also spent $750,000 for right-of-way acquisitions.
More than two-thirds of the project’s total cost is being paid for with state money.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
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