Orange barrel season arrives on State Avenue

MARYSVILLE According to the city, construction crews should have arrived June 7 on State Avenue to begin what officials are calling a widening and beautification project.

The affected area runs on State from 136th to 152nd streets.

In April, City Council awarded a $12 million contract to Granite Northwest Inc., of Everett to widen State to five lanes within the mile long span from 136th to 152nd.

A city press release states the ultimate goal is to provide five lanes from 116th Street north to 172nd Street in the Smokey Point area.

Community Information Officer Doug Buell said project improvements include:

n Widening State from two lanes to five.

n Upgrading the traffic signal at 136th.

n Installing a new signal at 152cd.

n Adding various streetscape elements, including planted median strips, planted sidewalk buffers and decorative signal poles and lighting.

Referred to often as Smokey Boulevard or Old Highway 99, Buell said State is a major north-south route that carries upwards of 22,000 vehicles per day.

The route also could someday serve as a main access to future development within the Smokey Point planning area and possibly a new University of Washington branch campus.

"Our key goals are to expand roadway capacity and improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians who will benefit from the new sidewalks and crossing signals," said Kevin Nielsen, city public works director.

"When the work is done, we think the streetscape design elements we are adding will be a welcome and attractive addition to this stretch of State Avenue," he continued.

The project also gives Marysville the opportunity to upgrade antiquated water mains and install new trunk sewer lines needed to meet future growth demands, said Project Manager pat Gruenhagen.

Additionally, an enclosed storm drainage system will be installed and the existing 128th Street NE storm-water detention and treatment facility will be expanded as part of Phase II of the project.

Project funding sources include $6.4 million from the city, a $3.5 million Transportation Improvement Board Grant and $2 million in grants from the Washington Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.

Based in Bellevue, Harris and Associaties will provide construction management services. Harris is the same firm that managed the State Avenue project between 116th and 136th a couple of years ago.

The city says no full closures are anticipated along the construction route and local access to neighborhoods and businesses within the corridor will be maintained, Gruenhagen said. However, he added that motorists should expect delays.

"It is our intent to minimize inconvenience to local businesses, homes and motorists in the construction zone," Gruenhagen said.

The project is scheduled for completion in August 2009.

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