Work could be done this fall in Kent on another section of the extension of South 228th/224th Street across Highway 167 and up the East Hill via South 218th Street to 94th Place South.

The Kent City Council on Feb. 5 awarded an $8.4 million contract to Kent-based Scarsella Brothers, Inc., to improve 88th Avenue South and South 218th Street. The road project extends the South 228th corridor from the new bridge over Highway 167 up the hill.

“It’s with great pleasure that I can bring you a bid roughly about $3 million under the (city) engineer’s estimate,” City Public Works Director Tim LaPorte told the council.

Six companies submitted bids ranging from $8.4 million to $9.9 million. The city will pay for the project with a state Transportation Improvement Board grant ($5 million), Local Improvement District 363 funds, storm drainage funds, water funds, developer funds, traffic impact fees and other city funds.

City leaders plan to issue about $6 million in bonds to help cover the total costs of the new corridor, which includes an South 228th Street overpass over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks that could be done by late 2020. Council members plan to approve use of city business and occupation (B&O) taxes to pay for the annual debt service on the bonds.

In addition to the road extension, Scarsella Brothers are the prime contractor for the new bridge being built over Highway 167. The bridge and extension up the East Hill could be done this fall.

“We hope to have this work completed in October,” LaPorte said. “That is a very aggressive schedule.”

Under this project, 88th Avenue South/South 218th Street will be widened to a three-lane roadway from 88th Avenue South to 94th Place South. Included in the project are a new culvert over Garrison Creek along South 218th Street; new curb, sidewalk, planter strip and widened shoulder; overhead utilities moved underground; new storm drainage; and a new treatment and detention facility.

“Those of us that live on that side of the city will be very glad to have our back way down the hill back,” Mayor Dana Ralph said.

The city closed a portion of 88th Avenue South two years ago for construction of the new freeway overpass.

Kent has planned for the 228th corridor for decades, LaPorte said. With the growth of Kent, city leaders wanted another alternative to move traffic between the Valley and East Hill.

A lack of funding and permits needed delayed the project for about 10 years after the council approved the work in 2008.

This map shows the section of the South 228th corridor work to be done this year, an $8.4 million project awarded this month by the Kent City Council. COURTESY GRAPHIC, City of Kent