Get ready to take alternate routes to South 228th Street in Kent over the next several weeks as preparation works begins for an overpass across the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

Crews will close South 228th Street between 72nd Avenue South and just east of the UP tracks from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays from Monday, Sept. 12 through mid-October. Crews also will close the street for occasional night and weekend work.

The Interurban Trail, popular with bicyclists, runners and walkers, will close between South 212th Street and James Street.

The grade separation of tracks and road will provide a regional connection between the nation’s fourth largest warehouse and industrial center in Kent with the Ports of Tacoma and Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport.

The street will be reconstructed as an overpass at the UPRR and the Interurban Trail. The first phase of this project requires modification of the power lines, and the installation of three, 8-foot diameter bridge shafts. The bridge shafts will be installed 70 feet into the ground to support the future bridge/overpass.

This grade separation will:

• Eliminate daily traffic delays

• Provide a safer route for freight haulers and commuters at the crossing

What should I expect?

• Digital reader boards will notify drivers and trail users of the specific closure dates, times and detour routes

How long will this project take?

• The overpass construction gets underway in 2017, with full completion anticipated by the middle of 2018

How much will it cost?

• The cost of the project is $25 million with funding provided by the state Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, Union Pacific Railroad, Puget Sound Regional Council, WSDOT and the Port of Seattle

For more information, go to KentWA.gov/228.