The city of Covington is implementing a new sidewalk on the east side of 164th Avenue Southeast between Southeast 264th Street and south of Southeast 269th Street, that will connect from Kentwood High School to the Covington Library.

According to Robert Lindskov, Covington’s engineer, this improvement has been a long time coming.

“Council introduced this project into the 6-Year TIP in the spring of 2014. For the 2015 to 2020 Transportation Improvement Program, council prioritized this project highly and directed staff to begin design in 2015,” he said.

The project also includes installation of a “drainage swale” — or a shallow ditch to help with draining of water — with under drainage “to convey and treat surface water,” according to information given by Karla Slate, the communications and marketing manager for Covington.

Once completed, there will be a sidewalk spanning from Kentwood High School to the Covington Library.

The total cost for the construction of the new sidewalk is $1,056,040, according to Lindskov.

He said this money is being funded through three different sources — Puget Sound Regional Council (Federal Funds), the Transportation Improvement Board (State Funds) and Surface Water Management (Local Funds).

Lindskov said he can’t pinpoint exactly when public concern for safety arose for this street, but he said it came from mostly metro users since there is a bus stop on that stretch of road.

With the new sidewalk in place, Lindskov said he hopes walking increases in this area.

“I believe it will make walking more desirable, with it becoming safer and more aesthetically pleasing,” he said.

Construction for the new sidewalk will start in Spring 2019 Lindskov said.

Although there will be construction, the road will still be open for people to drive through.

“The worst impact will be off-peak, single lane closures, with flagging,” Lindskov said.

With Kentwood, the Covington Library and metro bus stops in this area, Lindskov said this is a high-traffic area and said this sidewalk will add “the missing link” to Covington.

“This new sidewalk will complete a missing link in our non-motorized route plan. It will provide safe walking routes for students, library patrons, and Metro bus route users,” he said. “It will allow users of all abilities to access our downtown core and it will help reduce Highway 18 as a pedestrian barrier. I believe it will make walking more desirable, with it becoming safer and more aesthetically pleasing.”