Cracked pavement, wheel ruts and potholes will soon be replaced with new concrete and asphalt on more than 3 miles of State Route 900 (Martin Luther King Jr. Way) between Tukwila and Renton.
On Monday, April 4, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will start work on a $3.2 millionpavement-preservation project on SR 900. The project will repave portions of SR 900 with new asphalt, replace broken concrete panels and completely rebuild a failing section of the road.
“The failing section of SR 900 pavement has settled and destabilized over the years,” said WSDOT Project Engineer Dave Lindberg. “We’re going to tear out all of that concrete, bring in a lot of gravel to rebuild the highway roadbed and repave it with asphalt to provide a better road for drivers.”
Crews from Mid Mountain Contractors, Inc. will also replace old and damaged curbs, repave shoulders, and upgrade several pedestrian ramps to create safer highway-crossing locations.
Closure information
Beginning in early April, this project will require directional closures and daily and nightly lane closures of SR 900 between mileposts 6 (near the ramp to Interstate 5) and 9 (near State Route 167). Side streets may also be closed periodically during the paving and pedestrian ramp work. In June or July, crews will need one full weekend closure to complete work.
· Both directions of the highway will be closed for one weekend from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday sometime this summer. The dates of the weekend closure have not yet been announced.
· Up to 23 directional closures of either eastbound or westbound SR 900 may occur.
· Daytime lane closures will occur Monday through Friday, beginning as early as 8 a.m. and ending by 3 p.m.
· Nighttime lane closures may occur Monday through Thursday, generally from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Lane-closure information will be available on the King County construction update report. Drivers should plan ahead for delays and allow extra time to travel through the area.
Project benefits
Nearly 29,000 vehicles use SR 900 every day. The work benefits drivers by:
· Preserving vital infrastructure for commuters and freight.
· Saving money on maintenance needs and emergency repairs.
· Providing a safer, smoother ride for drivers.
· Offering a safer place for people to cross the highway with upgraded pedestrian ramps.
Work on the project is scheduled for completion in fall 2016.
