News

Brace for delays, roadwork on 38th Avenue corridor begins

Motorists who regularly use 38th Avenue in Gig Harbor should prepare for delays and use alternate routes as construction on the $12 million road project begins in earnest on Monday.

Rolling closures will begin in August and will last for about three months, but at no point will a full closure of the road occur, according to the city’s website. Construction will occur one block at a time, starting with the intersection of 56th Street NW and 38th Avenue.

Lengthy detour

The city recommends drivers detour via Hunt Street, Wollochet Drive, Kimball Drive, back on Hunt Street, Soundview Drive, Olympic Drive and finally back to 56th Street. Shorter detours are available to motorists, according to the city’s information, but the city cannot recommend them if they use county roads.

Cars are being directed to one lane at the intersection of 38th Avenue and 56th Street NW in Gig Harbor as workers begin road improvements that include a roundabout at the intersection.

“We have received the official project timelines from our contractor on July 24,” said Stephanie Seibel, Gig Harbor senior engineer. “This provides key details related to the traffic control plan for the detour application. We are hoping to have additional detour routes to announce soon.”

The city plans to send push notifications on traffic through the online platform Waze, according to the project information on the city’s website.

Why this work is being done

The city is planning to build a roundabout at 56th Street. The project, expected to be complete next year, also includes sidewalks and bicycle lanes and improvements to stormwater and sewer lines.

The project was first presented in 2008, but was expanded in 2022 to include a gravity sewer line, according to the city. Work on the sewer line and private utility relocation began in 2024.

The city said the work is necessary because the 38th Avenue corridor and intersection at 56th Street eventually will need a new traffic light and the intersection is expected to reach a failing service level within six years.

Roundabouts are seen as more fuel efficient, safer and cheaper to maintain than traffic lights.

Heavy equipment is already in place in the area, and crews and lane shifting has already begun. The contractor, Active Construction Inc., has already begun staging at the intersection by the Arco gas station on 56th Street.