Upgrades to 94th Avenue East between 116th and 136th streets on South Hill were celebrated at a Nov. 12 ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“This project provides reduced congestion, improved safety, corridor connection and environmental benefits,” said Public Works and Utilities Director Brian Ziegler, “all of which make Pierce County a better place to live.”

The project widened approximately 1.5 miles of 94th Avenue East, which runs parallel to Meridian. In addition to expanding the road from two lanes to five, other new features include street lights, sidewalks, two new traffic signals, and new storm drainage and treatment.

The road opened to traffic earlier this fall, but the official dedication was not held until after county budget hearings concluded. Ziegler, District 3 County Councilmember Roger Bush and Stevan Gorcester of the Transportation Improvement Board cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Gorcester also presented the county with a plaque marking completion of the four-year project. The Transportation Improvement Board contributed $4 million of the $7.8 million project cost and is a contributing partner to the city of Puyallup’s project to the north on the same corridor.

Puyallup also contributed $500,000 to extend their gravity sewer line within the project limits.

Ceccanti, Inc. was the construction contractor. Its winning bid was $2 million lower than the county engineers’ estimate of $9.87 million.

“On behalf of the residents of South Hill, Frederickson, Graham, Spanaway, Eatonville and the Orting Valley,” Bush said, “we thank the department for this long-sought congestion relief.”