FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 20, 2006
MEDIA CONTACTS
Chris Storey, Public Works, cstorey@cityoftacaoma.org, (253) 573-2484
Roxanne Murphy, Community Relations, roxanne.murphy@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054
The City of Tacoma and MidMountain Contractors, Inc., recently completed the first of four phases in constructing the D Street Overpass Project, located between Puyallup Avenue and Dock Street.
Phase one activities included:
- Extensive utility work by MidMountain, Tacoma Public Utilities and several independent utility companies along Puyallup Avenue.
- Soil improvements and the creation of footings to support the overpass.
- The removal of sidewalk and pavement along Puyallup Avenue between C and E streets.
Activities occurring in phase two include:
- Construction of the first half of the overpass.
- Raising the roadway four feet higher at the intersection of Puyallup Avenue and D Street, which will descend to connect with the current grade on Puyallup Avenue, and connect with upper D Street. This work will occur in stages so that Puyallup Avenue will remain open to through traffic.
The D Street Overpass team will continue to reach out and work to meet the needs of businesses and residents within and surrounding the footprint of the project. For information about the project including the latest construction and traffic updates, go to www.cityoftacoma.org/dstreet or call the D Street Overpass Hotline at (253) 573-2399. To speak with someone directly, contact Roxanne Murphy, Community Relations Specialist, at (253) 591-2054 or via cell phone at (253) 948-7243.
East D Street serves as a major corridor for rail and truck freight and for people wanting to access the revitalized Thea Foss Waterway. Once completed, the $22.5 million D Street Overpass will separate train and motor vehicle traffic by raising the roadway over the railroad tracks. The overpass will provide for realignment of the railroad tracks to ease the curve around the end of the Thea Foss Waterway—allowing train traffic to move at a higher speed. Vehicle traffic, which includes trucks carrying freight, no longer will need to wait for the trains that presently close off D Street to traffic. The project also will create a pedestrian connection between the Dome District and the Thea Foss Waterway esplanade and parks.
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