Plans for major improvements to the intersection of Key Peninsula Highway KPN, Olson Drive KPN and Cramer Road KPN in the Key Center area are under way. This project will replace a flashing light with a state-of- the-art traffic signal, including illumination at all corners of the intersection. Left turn lanes along Key Peninsula Highway, sidewalks and pedestrian crossings will also be constructed.

Pierce County received six bids to construct this project. The lowest bid for construction was $1.1 million, which was approximately $271,000 below the engineer’s estimate. The County expects to award the construction contract to the lowest bidder, Ceccanti, Inc.

Construction for this project is expected to begin in June, and should be completed by the end of the year. Sporadic traffic disruptions are expected throughout the construction period. Pierce County Public Works and Utilities will alert motorists and the Key Peninsula community of any unexpected issues via mailings, press releases and Web site updates. The public is invited to track the progress of this project online at http://co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/pwu/crp/crpmenu.htm .

A team of Pierce County engineers, technicians, right-of-way agents and environmental biologists began the project development process in May 2008, including comprehensive public outreach strategies to ensure alignment with the Key Peninsula Community Plan.

This project has a total cost of about $2.2 million, including construction, engineering, property acquisition and environmental permitting activities. The project is being funded by a state grant from the County Road Administration Board, Traffic Impact Fees and Road Fund dollars.

Even as this project nears construction, plans are already in motion for the next phase, which is to secure $40,000 for “traffic calming” design work at the intersection and contribute to the “gateway” presence into Key Center.