The Covington area will see traffic delays and lane closures for the next couple of months as road improvement projects begin.

The city of Covington reported in a press release lanes will be closed during the day beginning Monday from state Route 18 to 168th Place Southeast., while a median is installed. The work is estimated to last four weeks.

According to the release one eastbound lane will close from 5 a.m-3 p.m. and one westbound lane will close from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

The median installation is one part of an overall improvement project that includes new sidewalks, crosswalks and traffic signals at the intersection of SR 516 and 168th Place Southeast.

For more information or questions about this project contact Assistant City Engineer Fred French at (253) 638-1110 ext. 2270 or at ffrench@ci.covington.wa.us.

The King County Department of Transportation also has two projects starting.

A release from the department stated the county will close Southeast 244th Street, near 148th Avenue Southeast west of Covington Thursday.

Motorists can take a detour to 148th Avenue Southeast, Southeast 256th Street, 156th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 240th Street.

Beginning Monday, June 22, 172nd Avenue Southeast will be closed at Southeast 240th Street, northeast of Covington. The detour streets for this closure are Southeast 240th Street, 164th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 224th Street.

Both of the Covington area projects will replace bridges that span tributaries of Soos Creek. The work is expected to be completed by the middle of September. The bridges being replaced are 60 to 70 years old and contain rotting timbers. New bridges in these two locations will also be constructed of concrete and steel.