Pierce said the project calls for the intersection to be raised by eight feet, with the remainder of Northeast 10th Avenue raised 15 feet.
“It would have been very difficult to do the work under traffic because the whole intersection has to be raised up,” Pierce added.
Other improvements include the construction of retaining walls, stormwater facilities and a sanitary sewer main and water main. Pierce said the road needed to be raised to meet safety, design, speed and traffic requirements.
A small number of homes and other properties along Northeast 10th Avenue will continue to have access to the neighborhood from the north, and through traffic will still use alternate routes for the remainder of the project. Alternatives include Northwest 11th Avenue to the west and Northeast 20th and Northeast 15th avenues to the east.
Tapani Inc. of Battle Ground was awarded the contract for the project, estimated to cost $8 million to $9 million. Approximately one-third of the project costs were paid for through a federal grant.
“They’ve done a lot of good work for the county and other entities,” Pierce said of Tapani.
Pierce said crews are on track to meet the June reopening deadline but noted weather delays are still possible.
“We’re getting close to where the weather doesn’t affect us as much but some of it depends on that still,” Pierce said.
Pierce also said there may still be some minor work to be done after the road reopens but he doesn’t expect that to impact drivers.
