Construction work along Wollochet Drive NW near Gig Harbor resumed Monday following a winter work suspension.
Pierce County is constructing two projects along Wollochet Drive NW: the first between East Bay Drive NW and Fillmore Drive NW, and the second between 40th Street NW and East Bay Drive NW. Both projects will add lanes to accommodate increased traffic volume in the area.
“Pierce County decided to increase the corridor capacity after a traffic analysis showed the roadway capacity was exceeded in 2003 and 2004,” said Brian Ziegler, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities director. “This work to reconstruct and preserve Wollochet Drive will increase safety, improve traffic flow, and preserve infrastructure.”
The East Bay Drive NW to Fillmore Drive NW project will expand the roadway to four lanes and add concrete curbs, gutters, sidewalks and retaining walls to this 0.41 mile stretch. This project also includes new street lighting, an enclosed storm drainage system and improvements to the existing traffic signal at Fillmore Drive NW. Work resumed Monday following a construction suspension that allowed utility companies to upgrade and relocate facilities. Crews will work on the west side of the road to install curb, gutter and sidewalks, and add a new lane. This work is expected to last until mid-May and then crews will begin work on the east side of the road in late May or early June. Crews will install curb, gutter and sidewalks, construct two walls, widen the roadway, and rebuild the center section of the roadway. One lane in each direction will remain open during the work, and drivers should be cautious of crews working on the side of the road. Construction on this stretch began in June 2012, and is expected to be completed in October. Miles Resources LLC is the contractor. The anticipated construction cost is approximately $3.6 million.
The 40th Street NW to East Bay Drive NW roadway will be expanded to three lanes between 40th Street NW and Artondale Drive NW, and four lanes between Artondale Drive NW and East Bay Drive NW. The project also includes the addition of turn lanes at intersections, new concrete curbs, gutters and sidewalks, new street lighting, an enclosed stormwater drainage and treatment system, and improved traffic signals at 40th Street NW, Artondale Drive NW, and East Bay Drive NW. Crews will resume work on April 22 after a winter suspension. Crews will complete sections of the concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk, adjust luminaires, install railings on the top of the retaining walls, and seal the surfaces of the retaining walls. The final paving of this stretch is expected to begin in early May. Traffic will remain on the west side of the roadway, and then shift to the east side of the road once the west side is complete. One lane in each direction will remain open during this work, although motorists may expect minor delays periodically for safety as construction vehicles enter traffic. Construction on this one-mile stretch began in June 2010, and will be completed by early June. Tucci & Sons, Inc. is the contractor. The construction cost is approximately $7.2 million.
More information about these projects is available online at piercecountywa.org/wollochet.
