Sultan construction impacts ahead

Drivers navigating Sultan this summer will have to account for a large construction project that includes parts of First and Eighth streets.

Construction on First Street began around the start of June, and is expected to continue through the end of October, according to the City of Sultan. Traffic will not be able to pass between High Avenue to Trout Farm Road on First Street, or High Avenue to the Sultan High School bus access gate at the evacuation route trailhead on Eighth Street during construction, according to the agency.

“The city understands that road rehabilitation projects can be troublesome and inconvenient, and asks for your patience during the construction process,” according to a city news release.

Washington State Transportation Improvement Board grant money helped cover some costs of the more than $1.54 million project, which will rehabilitate just less than a half-mile of roadway combined with long-awaited improvements, according to the city.

Parking could become a challenge while some work is done on First Street. The city reports some owners may have to park their cars offsite while utility lines are being installed.

The city is planning to provide advanced warning of any closures, and the community will be notified throughout the process, according to the release.

Osprey Park will be tougher to access, but the public space will remain open for the duration. Parking has been blocked off near the covered basketball courts for the time being because of construction, according to the city. Visitors can leave their car at the Dogs on First off-leash park, or by city yard, according to the agency.

“The detour route will be marked with signage, and should be simple for residents to navigate,” according to the city.

Drivers coming from Trout Farm road will head down Willow Avenue, Fourth Street and High Avenue, according to the city. The High Avenue alternative route will guide traffic west to reconnect with First Street, or south down 4 Street to get to U.S. Highway 2.

The community will see mor than just smoother streets as the work is completed.

A southbound section of sidewalk that stretches along the east side of the street will be connected with a walkway on High Avenue, according to the city. A water main made with asbestos cement will be replaced with new ductile iron equipment, as part of the project, and new sewer line will be added.

The Eighth Street project was timed to not disrupt Sultan School District services, according to the city. About 0.13 miles of the road will be paved over, but the sewer and water equipment is not in need of repairs.

The city reports it is funding the utility improvements with capital utility funds, and the transportation-related work with transportation improvement board grant money, which amounted to more than $758,300 — the grant was awarded two years ago.

Costs for the project were broken down by the city: Replacing the water main costs about $183,600; a sewer utility line is about $605,800, and the road and storm drain upgrades about $744,550.

Next up is another construction project planned for Third Street, for which the city is still trying to secure funding. The project is in the design phase, and construction is expected to begin in 2019, according to the city.