Puyallup unveils early plans for part of Shaw Road. Here’s what residents have to say
The city of Puyallup has plans to make changes to the 12th Avenue Southeast and 23rd Avenue Southeast section of Shaw Road. As the city unveiled preliminary details for their plan Thursday night, some residents shared concerns.
The city is considering widening the portion from 12th Avenue Southeast to Highlands Boulevard to five lanes — two northbound and southbound lanes as well as one center turn lane. A 7-foot sidewalk would be placed on the west side and a 10-feet shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists on the east side.
The portion from Highlands Boulevard to 23rd Avenue Southeast would be widened to four lanes — two southbound lanes as well as one northbound and center turn lane. The west and east sidewalks would still be 7 and 10 feet, respectively, but a 15-foot-wide planter would be placed between the northbound lane and the east sidewalk. The city can turn the planter into a second northbound lane if the city determines there is a need.
The shared-use path on the east side would start from East Pioneer Avenue up until 23rd Avenue Southeast, connecting it to an existing trail south of Shaw Road. Upgraded Deer Creek fish crossings and sewer lines are also in the plan.
“We are in the early process, so these improvements are just draft,” department manager Michael Lapham from KPG said during an open house Thursday night. The city hired KPG to conduct a traffic corridor study on Shaw Road.
One resident asked during the open house if a weight limit for vehicles should be placed on the road. Another resident said driving through the city’s most recent Shaw Road project — the 23rd Avenue Southeast and Manorwood Drive section — is like driving through a “washboard.”
Scott Tkach, the city’s senior civil engineer, said during the open house the city has not contemplated that idea but knows that other counties have placed an ordinance for weight restrictions on certain roads to ensure pavements are protected.
“That’s not something that is in the scope of this project or something I’m aware of that we’re going to do,” Tkach said.
Another resident asked during the open house if there will be additional street lighting placed on the 12th Avenue Southeast and 23rd Avenue Southeast section. The city said both sidewalks will have extra lighting structures, which is why both sidewalks are 7-10 feet wide.
Funding for this project has yet to be secured and would come from state and federal grants, Lapham said. The city may also look into local sources such as impact fees, he said.
Improvements are needed on this portion of Shaw Road because there are no pedestrian and bicycle facilities available for use, Lapham said. Traffic congestion is also an issue, and it can be challenging for cars to turn left on streets and driveways.
The city will prepare a conceptual design in March 2022 and present updated plans during a second public house sometime in 2022.
This story was originally published December 12, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
