Construction set to begin at 2 Tacoma rail crossings. Here’s how it will affect traffic
Two rail crossings in Tacoma will be improved next month, the city said in a news release.
Construction on the South 19th Street rail crossing at the Narrows Marina will begin March 6 and run through March 9. Construction on the 6th Avenue rail crossing will start March 13 and end March 16.
Each night, the two crossings will be closed in both directions from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. During the day, one lane will stay open between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. with flaggers directing traffic.
The South 19th Street rail crossing is set to reopen for all traffic at 7 a.m. on March 10.
The 6th Avenue rail crossing is set to reopen for all traffic at 7 a.m. on March 17.
Emergency service vehicles will be able to cross the tracks during the scheduled closures. If businesses or residents need to make vehicle trips, they are encouraged to find parking on the east side of the tracks, and the rail crew will facilitate or assist on-foot (or wheelchair) access across the tracks with worker escort, according to the city’s website.
Notice boards will be up and will reflect any changes.
The first phase of the improvements includes fencing, adding new or relocating railroad gates and new signals for vehicles and pedestrians, the news release said. BNSF Railway will complete the construction.
The second phase is scheduled for July. It will include replacing pavement and roadway striping, upgrading curb ramps to meet ADA requirements, updating driveway entrances and sidewalk installation. The work is expected to take about three months, pending weather delays. The city will advertise for a contractor to complete the work this quarter.
The two projects will cost about $3.5 million. The city is funding $1.07 million, and the state is funding $1.15 million. The project also received a Federal Highway Safety and Improvement Grant for $1.3 million.
The improvements were scheduled to start last summer, but the city canceled the work after it received concerns about the daytime closures from nearby residents and businesses.