By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch Government officials next week will formally celebrate what they hope commuters are already enjoying GÇô an updated, more traffic-friendly stretch of heavily traveled 176th Street East. A ribbon-cutting and speeches Dec. 10 will mark the completion of a series of projects by Pierce County between B Street East and State Route 161.-á Up to 25,000 vehicles per day travel the 176th Street East corridor near the intersection of 176th and Canyon Road East. In 1989, the traffic count was about 8,000 at that location. Over an 18-year period since then, road construction crews completed the revised corridor in six major segments spanning about six miles. They widened portions of the roadway for additional lanes, installed new lights and traffic signals, and added sidewalks and medians. Sidewalks and shoulders were made from pervious concrete. It's the first time the material has been used in a county road project to reduce surface-water runoff, officials said. "The improvements will increase capacity, relieve traffic congestion, aid the movement of freight and goods, and contribute to public safety by adding sidewalks, lighting and traffic signals,GÇ¥ said Brian Ziegler, director of the county's Public Works and Utilities Department. -á Design work began in 1996, followed by the start of construction in 2003. Major work on the final part of the overall project GÇô from B Street East to 14th Avenue East GÇô is expected to be complete this winter, with some minor work expected to continue into next spring. Also next year, Pierce County will finalize improvements to the intersection of 78th Avenue East and 176th.-á The entire cost a combined $71.2 million in state and county funding. Part of what that money bought was the removal and replacement of an old two-lane bridge over a railroad crossing just west of Canyon Road. That work required a four-month road closure of 176th. Other project highlights include raised, landscaped medians that officials said increase safety, control access to businesses, and improve traffic flow. The medians have depressed curbs to allow emergency vehicles to cross over. The ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 10 will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Central Pierce Fire and Rescue station at 17520 22nd Ave. E. Speakers will include County Executive Pat McCarthy and County Councilman Jim McCune.
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