Fife residents can expect traffic delays this summer as construction crews begin work on Valley Avenue East. The Fife City Council agreed to close down the road to through traffic between 70th Avenue East and Freeman Road for a period of 50 working days, or 10 weeks, in order to improve the route.
Although the construction schedule is not set in stone, Public Works Director Russ Blount estimated it would begin in mid- to late-summer. The road will be open for access to residences and businesses. Other traffic will be detoured to nearby streets such as Freeman and Levee roads.
Closing the road down entirely will allow the project to be completed in a shorter timeframe, and many council members felt a complete road closure would be more beneficial to citizens in the long run. According to engineering firm David Evans and Associates, Inc., a complete closure will also give the contractor more flexibility, lower traffic control costs and improve work zone safety.
“People want our traffic improved and the best way to get there fastest is total closure,” said Councilmember Kim Roscoe.
The council also stressed the importance of educating residents long in advance of the closure and of possible detours.
“I think one of the keys to this is going to be as much advance notification [as possible],” said Councilmember Butch Brooks.
The city will also be doing work on the intersection of 70th Avenue East and Valley Avenue East. The work will also close 70th Avenue at night for about three weeks.
Over the last several months the city has been working on acquiring right-of-way for the project, which coincides with a Local Improvement District (LID) project to bring water and sewer to the area.
The street project will include road widening and other improvements to increase freight mobility and reduce traffic delays. The project also includes the addition of sidewalks, lighting, planter strips and other pedestrian amenities.
The overall budget for this phase of the project is about $24.8 million. It is scheduled for completion in late 2010. Valley Avenue is one of many truck routes in Fife that the council has worked to improve over the years. The city also has plans to expand and improve 70th Avenue East between 20th Street and Valley Avenue in the future.
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