Exit133

December 17, 2012 · Exit133

Downtown Detours and Alternate Routes

In case you hadn’t heard, downtown Tacoma is getting a facelift – in the form of streetscape improvements on Pacific Avenue. And along with the improvements, we’re getting a few new detours…

Phase 1 of the construction for the Pac Ave Streetscape project (and accompanying detours) will begin on January 2, 2013. Phase 1 will include work from South 9th to South 13th Street. This phase includes in-filling of one vaulted walk, new sidewalks, landscaping, historic streetlights and raingardens. Two-way traffic, pedestrian and emergency access will be maintained at all times. Additional project information is available at: www.cityoftacoma.org/pacave.

Phase 1: Construction Between South 9th and South 13th


     
  • Pavement striping on side streets for parking

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  • Vaulted walk between S. 9th and S. 10th St.

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  • Eastside improvements

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  • Westside improvements

Phase 2: Construction Between South 7th and South 9th


     
  • Vaulted walks between S. 7th and S. 8th

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  • Eastside improvements

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  • Westside inprovements

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  • Cobblestone intersection at S. 8th St.

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  • Grind and overlay between S. 7th and S. 13th

Phase 3: Construction Between South 13th and South 17th


     
  • Eastside improvements

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  • Westside improvements

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  • Grind and Overlay between S. 13th and S. 17th

Ahead of the January 2 start date, at 5:30 p.m. this Thursday, December 20, the City will host an open house to share information on detours and alternate routes for the Pacific Avenue construction (along with the continuing Stadium Way construction and detours), and to field questions from the public. City and contractor representatives will be available to answer questions.

Detour and Alternate Route Open House
When: December 20, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Council Chambers of the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market Street
Details: www.cityoftacoma.org/pacave
PHASE 1 CONSTRUCTION STARTS JAN. 2, 2013

So, who’s ready to take a little detour?

Filed under: Downtown Tacoma, Transportation, Neighborhoods, Roads

5 comments

  • fred davie December 17, 2012

    The money being spent on Pacific Ave. definitely qualifies this as a “project.”

    It’s not so easy to say if the project is a “facelift” or an “improvement.” It depends on who you ask.

    I prefer the current layout over the planned changes. Furthermore, I would predict that within most of our lifetimes the changes being implemented will be bulldozed down or filled in and the reasoning the liberal decision-makers will provide will be their usual, “the public didn’t spend enough money to do it right.”

  • Mofo from the Hood December 17, 2012

    According to the City, the construction from South 7th & Pacific to South 17th & Pacific will include the following embellishments: 129 trees, 817 shrubs, and over 3000 [nondescript] plants. Beyond the embellishments, 14 new raingardens will be built.

    Call the whole thing a pragmatic approach to economic development, or call it a stimulus plan. From a practical standpoint, here is proof that a project is getting built with money that will come from future generations of Tacoman’s.

    When the project is completed by the end of 2013, the operational costs of maintaining the City will increase exponentially.

    From an accounting standpoint, there is no reliable method for determining or estimating how much or when the reported value of the streetscape project might, if ever, contribute to the well-being of Tacoma.

  • Jake December 17, 2012

    The St. Helens neighborhood has seen a huge increase in businesses since the LID improvements.

  • Stu December 17, 2012

    If Tacoma wants to attract more white collar biz to its downtown it needs to spiff things up a bit. Making the main road thru town more attractive seems a reasonable move.

  • Mofo from the Hood December 17, 2012

    Since the closure of Stadium Way I often drive the alternate route from 1st & Tacoma Ave south along St. Helens Ave and Market ST. to get to the S. 9th St freeway onramp. This alternate route includes a big pothole at the intersection of 1st and Tacoma Ave (been there for months). Plus keep a good grip on your steering wheel on St. Helens Ave from Division Ave to 6th Avenue, because of the crumbling washboard surface.

    From what I gather, a lot of people throughout Tacoma would just like a reasonable standard of road building and maintenance. “The Unauthorized Guide to Social Planning” (MFTH Media, a subsidiary of MNN) recommends the following overall objective for city administrators: “Provide sober, reliable, ongoing service because most people want to conduct their lives in a predictable, orderly fashion.”