The Kennewick City Council plans to approve today an agreement for using more than $3.2 million in federal money to help extend Steptoe Street south of Gage Boulevard.
The $3.74 million project, a joint venture between Kennewick and Richland, will build a new road from Gage Boulevard to Center Parkway in its first phase.
The new 1.1-mile, four-lane road will help reroute traffic and ease congestion on Leslie Road and Columbia Center Boulevard, said Steve Plummer, project engineer for the city of Kennewick. Construction is expected to start next spring and finish in the fall, he said.
It would include construction of curbs and gutters, sidewalk, storm drains, landscaping with irrigation, lights and signals. As part of the project, two masonry block walls that will run on both the sides of the road past existing homes will be built as a noise barrier, Plummer said.
The project's second phase will include extending a road south under the railroad tracks to connect Steptoe Street to Clearwater Avenue. The city is working out issues with BNSF Railway Co., he said.
"We're pursuing it as rapidly as we can," Plummer said. The city is looking for additional money for that work.
A preliminary estimate by planners last year put the cost of the second phase at about $8.5 million.
The third phase, which is in the design stage, is to include reconstruction of Clodfelter Road from Clearwater to 10th Avenue, Plummer said.
-- Pratik Joshi: 582-1541; pjoshi@tricityherald.com
Similar stories:
Streetlight switch to save Kennewick big bucks
Streetlight switch to save Kennewick big bucks
KENNEWICK -- Kennewick expects to save several hundred thousand dollars a year by replacing its streetlights.
Most of the 5,000 streetlights in Kennewick are high-pressure sodium lamps, which give off a yellowish glow.
They are being replaced with induction lights, which are bright white and extremely energy efficient.
Streetlight switch to save city big bucks
Streetlight switch to save city big bucks
Kennewick expects to save several hundred thousand dollars a year by replacing its streetlights.
Most of the 5,000 streetlights in Kennewick are high-pressure sodium lamps, which give off a yellowish glow.
They are being replaced with induction lights, which are bright white and extremely energy efficient.
Construction begins in Richland on new apartments
Construction begins in Richland on new apartments
RICHLAND — Owners of an almost $19 million apartment complex under construction in Richland are confident they will be able to fill their 180 units.
Crews began moving dirt this week at the future site of the River Trails Apartments, 2513 Duportail St.
The Tri-Cities is a time-proven apartment market, said Don Purdy of West Richland, who has partnered with Stephen MacKay from Western Washington on the project.
NEW: Steptoe St. in Kennewick reopens after gas leak
NEW: Steptoe St. in Kennewick reopens after gas leak
Steptoe Street in west Kennewick has reopened after a natural gas leak.
A 4-inch gas line was broken around noon near Santiago Sunset Estates mobile park area at 2105 N. Steptoe St. The city of Richland was doing some work in the area and may be responsible for the break, officials said at the scene.
Kennewick Fire Department were monitoring the air. There was no threat to anyone, officials say. Crews cleared the area about 2 p.m.
Officials seek comments on draft 2011 transportation plan
Officials seek comments on draft 2011 transportation plan
Mid-Columbia officials have made their list of transportation project wants, and now they are asking the public to check it before the proposal becomes a plan.
The Benton-Franklin Council of Governments is holding a public meeting today in Richland and Thursday in Walla Walla to collect public comment on the 2011-2030 regional transportation plan for Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties.
The 20-year plan, which is revised every five years, acts as a guideline for cities and counties to build projects and allows the governments to compete for state and federal funding for the projects listed in the plan, said Mark Kushner, council of governments transportation director.
Print
Email Story
