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Project Title & Location
SR 161 - 36th to Jovita - Additional Lanes
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Project Description
The purpose of this project is to ease congestion and reduce accidents on SR 161 by adding lane capacity and managing access points. This project will construct one additional lane in each direction, provide sidewalks on both sides, and make intersection improvements.
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Recent Progress
Due to higher than anticipated escalation in R/W and construction costs, the project will be phased as follows:
• Phase 1 - 24th St. E. to Milton Way
• Phase 2 - 36th St. E. to 24th St. E.
Funding and schedule information tabulated below is for Phase 1 delivery.
A public open house was held for the project on June 28th at the Edgemont Junior High School. WSDOT staff provided a project update and displayed the proposed design, including pedestrian enhancements. Emphasis was placed on the Phase 1 project, with an AD date in October 2009.
In July, the purchase of right of way needed for widening between 24th St. E. and Milton Way will proceed.
Environmental studies for the corridor widening and design work related to the Phase 1 project will continue in the '07-'09 biennium.
The right-of-way width has been finalized. The roadway will have 11-foot lanes, 12-foot two-way, left-turn lane/raised median and 4-foot shoulders. Within the City of Milton there will be 6-foot sidewalks. In 2006, the Legislature allocated $5 million for City of Edgewood pedestrian improvements. In July 2006, Edgewood City Council modified Resolution 06-223 to provide 10-foot sidewalks and 4-foot planter strips within City of Edgewood. Through close coordination with the City of Edgewood, sidewalk widths and planter strip locations have been established along the corridor. These were available for viewing at the June 28th public open house.
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Design Construction Impacts
In 2003, right of way purchase and further design work was halted until the city’s improvement strategy for SR 161 was better understood. Design resumed in summer 2005.
There are numerous utilities in the WSDOT right of way throughout the two-mile project corridor. Overhead and underground utilities will have to be relocated prior to Contract Advertisement. The City of Edgewood has recently decided to have overhead utilities placed underground along the corridor. A sewer line will be constructed along the corridor and a decision by the City of Edgewood on its location is needed so as to move forward with the overall utility relocation plan.
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