Community Transportation
City prepares community for 38th Avenue improvements
Five companies submitted bids to the city of Gig Harbor on Thursday, all vying for a shot at the $12 million 38th Avenue improvement project.
Gig Harbor city officials have 60 days to award the contract, said Lori Maricle, city communications manager.
Key elements of the project include a sewer line from 56th Street NW to Hunt Street; a roundabout to replace the traffic light at 56th Street NW; a bike lane; and street lights. The work will happen on the east side of the road.
Neighbors have questions about access
About 50 people attended a two-hour open house on Tuesday at which city engineers and project managers discussed their plans. The key question from residents was: How will they get in to and out of their neighborhood during the year-long construction, which could begin in July.
City of Gig Harbor Construction Supervisor Dan Munn shows a resident on a map the location of the project.
“It will be nice to have sidewalks and lights,”said Christine Johnston, who lives in a mobile home park on the corner of Hunt Street and 38th Avenue. “My only real concern will be, what happens when Hunt Street backs up during peak travel times?”
City officials urged residents to sign up for traffic alerts using this link.
Work will start at the 56th Street end of 38th and be completed in segments. Access to and from neighborhoods will be maintained.
During some phases of the construction, traffic will divert onto a circuitous detour route: Across Highway 16 and back via Olympic and Soundview drives.
Utilities and property acquisition
The city has completed acquisition of property on the northwest, southwest and northeast corners of 56th Street and 38th Avenue.
Last fall, a contractor relocated cable and installed new conduits. Peninsula Light Co. will begin relocation of its lines at the intersection of 56th Street and 38th Avenue next month.
A resident of a new subdivision called Fox Run was concerned about ingress and egress to his home.
“The magic question is, they’ll start on one side of 38th Avenue and that’s going to probably affect us early in the work. But who knows?” said Joseph Neff.