Public Notices

Temporary Speed Limit Reduction

70th Avenue is currently under construction from Valley Avenue to I-5. 70th is being widened to five lanes, up from its current two. This project is expected to be completed in 2013. There may be delays or detours during some parts of the construction. Please allow extra time when travelling through this area. Electric signs are located at both ends of the construction zone to keep you up to date on the status of this project.

The Fife City Council authorized the City Manager the 70th Ave E Phase II project to award Active Construction, Inc. This project consists of widening the current 2 lane section to 5 lanes from the end of Phase I construction to 20th Street E. This project also includes a pavement overlay on 70th Avenue E from 20th Street E to I-5. Active Construction, Inc. has begun work; they are responsible for the maintenance of traffic and detours. We expect inconveniences to the traveling public during construction. Once completed in 2013, a much stronger road will give many years of good service and provide better and safer access for pedestrian and vehicular traffic to local businesses and residents.

Fife Public Works has installed two variable message boards (VMS) on 70th Ave E to educate the residents and commuters; one is located at the Milton Interurban Trail access point (for viewing by 70th Ave E southbound traffic) and a second is located just north of the intersection of Valley Ave E (terminus of previous 70th Ave E Phase I construction) for northbound traffic.

Detailed construction sequencing will be established by the contractor, but we expect that a simplified sequence will be:

1. Install fills outside the current roadway section
2. Install wet utilities and dry utility conduits in those fills
3. Dry utility wire pulling and energization (TPU, PSE, Qwest, Comcast)
4. Paving of newly filled areas / detour traffic to new pavement
5. Demolition of existing pavement, paving new.

City staff will update VMS boards periodically as contractor proceeds with the scope of work. Questions call can be directed to Russ Blount, PE-Director of Public Works/City Engineer at (253) 896-8677 or Ken Gill, PE-Assistant City Engineer at (253) 896-8208.