Crews will soon start work on a new pedestrian path along 132nd Avenue Southeast on Kent’s East Hill.
The City Council approved on July 5 a $948,625 contract with Auburn-based R.W. Scott Construction to build the 5-foot wide concrete and asphalt pathway on the west side of road between Southeast 251st Street and Southeast 268th Street.
”The path on the west side varies from 3 to 4 feet to nothing,” City Public Works Director Tim LaPorte said to the council. “It has a lot of traffic day and night. This has been sorely needed for a long tim.”
Kent inherited 132nd Avenue Southeast from King County as part of the Meridian and Panther Lake annexations. Developments along the street added some sidewalks and paths but nothing connects for a long stretch.
The city will pay the majority of the costs but received a $473,000 grant from the state’s Transportation Improvement Board. Crews are expected to complete the project this fall.
“It’s not a sidewalk, it’s a path, because sidewalks would be much more than we can afford right now,” LaPorte said.
Crews will add a flashing beacon at a crosswalk near Southeast 253rd Street to help people get to Wilson Playfields. Pedestrians will be able to push a button to get a flashing light to alert drivers that people want to cross the street.
Drivers will see alternating lane closures along the street over the next couple of weeks as crews make water system improvements to prepare for the upcoming pedestrian path project.
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