Pierce County will receive $2.16 million in federal highway safety improvement funds to fund five road safety projects.
Pierce County is among 46 agencies across Washington that will receive more than $48 million in federal highway safety improvement funds, according to a Jan. 8 announcement by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
“These funds will allow us to make important road safety improvements for our motorists and pedestrians,” said Brian Ziegler, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities director.
Project details
Pierce County received funding for five projects that will result in safety improvements in multiple locations around the county.
Design on three of the projects is expected to begin in June, followed by environmental permitting. Construction contracts for the projects are expected to be awarded by September 2016, with the work expected to be completed by November 2017. The projects include:
The addition of guardrails and guardrail reflectors along sections of the Key Peninsula Highway, Alder Cutoff Road East, and Waller Road East. Pierce County received $485,080 in federal funds, and will contribute $8,820 in county road funds.
The addition of guardrails, guardrail reflectors, centerline rumble strips, and safety edges along sections of Rhodes Lake Road East, Orting Kapowsin Highway East, Sumner-Buckley Highway East, Sehmel Drive Northwest, and Mathias Road East. Pierce County received $562,770 in federal funds, and will contribute $10,230 in county road funds.
The addition of driver feedback signs that display travel speeds and guardrail reflectors along 218th Avenue East. Pierce County received $138,380 in federal funds, and will contribute $2,520 in county road funds.
For the fourth project, Pierce County will install lighting, ramps that are accessible according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, median refuge islands, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons that indicate a pedestrian is in the crosswalk at the intersection at Military Road South and Bresemann Boulevard South. The project will be funded with $206,100 in federal funds and $22,900 in county road funds.
Design is expected to begin in October, followed by environmental permitting and right-of-way acquisition. A construction contract is expected to be awarded by October 2018, and the work is expected to be completed by November 2019.
For the final project, Pierce County will install a new traffic signal at 38th Avenue East and 152nd Street East. Pierce County received $769,590 in federal funds, and will contribute $85,510 in county road funds.
Design is expected to begin in October, followed by environmental permitting and right-of-way acquisition. A construction contract is expected to be awarded by October 2019, and the work is expected to be complete by November 2020.
