A Sound Transit board approved a $439,283 contract to repair the top deck of the Kent Station parking garage.
Kirkland-based Leewens Corp., will repair, re-coat and re-stripe approximately two-thirds (40,000 square feet) of the upper deck and ramp of the structure on Railroad Avenue, according to Sound Transit documents. The agency repaired the other one-third of the deck four years ago.
“The structure is degrading rapidly due to breeches in the concrete drive panels, allowing water in and rust to form on the structural reinforcement,” according to Sound Transit. “The repairs and re-coating will help preserve the structure and prevent further damage.”
The Operations and Administration Committee approved the repair contract on May 3. Leewens submitted the lowest of seven bids. The contract is for $399,348 with a 10 percent contingency of $39,935 for a total not to exceed $439,283.
“We are hoping to begin this repair work by the end of the month,” said Sound Transit spokesman Scott Thompson in an email last week. “Once work begins it should take about a week to finish.”
Many Sounder train commuters use the garage. Sound Transit plans to open a second parking garage in Kent by 2023 with about 500 spaces.
Since its construction in 2001, the Kent Station garage has suffered from water intrusion that has affected the support columns and upper deck of the structure, according to Sound Transit documents. In 2014, Sound Transit hired a contractor to repair and re-coat approximately one-third of the upper deck, the worst portion of the garage, to reduce water intrusion.
The repair work has performed very well; however, degradation of the rest of the deck continues. This project will complete the upper decking and repair the support columns to help preserve this asset out to its intended lifespan.
Leewens will use the same coating material that proved successful in 2014, according to Sound Transit documents. The company is certified by the coating manufacturer in its use. The repair coating products are acrylic resin based materials. As with any industrial coating product, personal protective equipment is essential. This project is outdoors, so ventilation is not a concern. Protection of storm water drains is included in the work plan to ensure no contamination to waterways is allowed.
Talk to us
Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.
To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.
