By Eric Stevick
Herald Writer
ARLINGTON — A major road reconstruction project on 67th Avenue NE in Arlington will likely slow and divert traffic for months, starting in mid-April or May.
"There will be closures. There will be detours," said Paul Richart, the city engineer. "It could begin anywhere from mid-April to mid-May."
The project to widen and reconstruct a two-mile stretch of 67th Avenue NE stretches from the intersection of 172nd Street NE to the intersection of 204th Street NE. The road will be widened to three lanes, with a sidewalk on the west side and a portion of the Centennial Trail on the east side.
The stretch of roadway is used by about 7,000 motorists a day. That number is expected to increase when construction is complete.
City officials are already trying to prepare drivers for upcoming road closures and detours. Richart predicts that many people will choose Highway 9 or 59th Avenue NE as alternative routes.
Eight companies bid on the project, with proposals ranging from $3.3 million to $3.9 million. The winning bid was about $75,000 less than the engineer’s estimate.
The city council approved the project last week, and the city is negotiating a starting date.
"This has been so long in coming," said Sally Lien, a city council member.
With other improvements, design work and right-of-way acquisition, the total project cost is more than $5.5 million. About $3.5 million comes from state and federal grants, and the remainder comes from city taxes and mitigation fees paid by developers.
"That number (of bidders) is actually very good," Richart said. "I would have been satisfied with four or five."
The contract with Tri Co. Contracting of Burlington includes 160 working days over eight months.
Council member Steve Baker asked if there were any financial incentives to get the work done quicker. There are not, Richart said.
Also included in the work will be a regional storm-water retention pond on the west side of the road in the area of 191st Place NE.
The city has also reached agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad under a separate contract for improvements to the railroad crossing at 191st Street NE.
You can call Herald Writer Eric Stevick at 425-339-3446
or send e-mail to stevick@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
