Shaw Road could see congestion relief in 2017

Those who live around Shaw Road in Puyallup know the frustrations that come with the two-lane road heavily utilized by commuter traffic heading from the valley up to South Hill.

But an upcoming construction project could alleviate some of the congestion as well as improve safety for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. With an anticipated start date of spring 2017, the project will add left-turn pockets, sidewalks on the west side of the road and a bike path on the east side.

The first phase of the project will work to improve Shaw Road from 23rd Avenue Southeast to Manorwood Drive, said Rob Andreotti, Puyallup’s Public Works director.

But before contractors get to work next year, the city is hosting an open house allowing those affected most by the construction and improvements to ask questions and provide feedback to city staff.

“It is a well needed project to say the least,” Puyallup Mayor John Hopkins said.

Eventually, the city hopes to connect the sidewalks and bike paths with the Foothills Trail at Pioneer.

“It will provide better bicycle and pedestrian safety, and better traffic flow,” Andreotti said.

The 4,000-foot-long section of the Shaw Road project is receiving $5 million in grant funding from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board. The city will match the grant with $1.6 million to cover the estimated $6.6 million project.

The city also hopes to apply for grant funding for the next phases of the project, to complete the estimated three-phase improvement to Shaw Road.

At the March 28 open house, city staff will have renderings with the existing plan, seeking feedback from citizens.

“Concerns and questions will be addressed at the open house,” Hopkins said.

The project will go to bid later this year, with construction beginning next spring. Once construction begins, Andreotti says road closures and traffic delays are to be expected.

“This isn’t just for the city of Puyallup, but we need this project to improve things at the (state Route) 410 overpass,” Hopkins said. “We’re doing the best we can.”

The Shaw Road open house is scheduled for 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 11:29 AM with the headline "Shaw Road could see congestion relief in 2017."