Sen. Patty Murray joined Port of Tacoma commissioners and other state and local dignitaries today to “lift” Lincoln Avenue. The “road-raising” celebration kicked off construction of the final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Grade Separation overpass.

The 2,200-foot overpass will add three lanes of roadway over four sets of railroad tracks serving the Port of Tacoma’s two main intermodal yards.

“Raising Lincoln Avenue over the tracks will help the Port of Tacoma run smoother, faster, and more efficiently,” Sen. Murray said.

The Port has completed three surface streets and relocated utilities to support the overall project. The final piece, the overpass itself, remained unfunded until the Port received $15.4 million in March from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

The $53.2 million project has received funding since 2002 from several state and federal sources. The Port expects to pay about $17.9 million of the total.

More information about the project is available at portoftacoma.com/lincoln-ave.