Motorists traveling along 72nd Street East between Canyon Road East and 66th Street East should expect minor delays on weekdays from March 9 to April 6 while crews install a stormwater filter vault. The vault will remove contaminants from stormwater runoff before it enters Rody Creek.

Approximately a half-mile of 72nd Street East will be reduced from four lanes to two between 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Three lanes will be open during non-work hours.

Stormwater is rain that runs off of hard surfaces such as roads into a system of pipes, ditches and ponds. Along the way, stormwater picks up pollution from vehicle leaks, animal waste, fertilizers, and other toxic chemicals. Most stormwater eventually flows into local streams, lakes, rivers, and Puget Sound.

The total project cost is approximately $425,000 and the Washington State Department of Ecology is funding $318,715 of the effort. The rest – $106,250 – is funded by Pierce County surface water management fees. Hoffman Construction Inc. is the contractor.