HomeMy WebLinkAbout120913_Rainier-Avenue
website: www.rentonwa.gov
City of Renton - 1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
December 9, 2013
For more information contact:
Gregg Zimmerman, Public Works Administrator, 425-430-7394
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator, 425-430-6569
Mayor Law, Dignitaries Cut Ribbon on Rainier Avenue Improvement Project
Completed project will improve transit mobility, upgrade traffic safety, and enhance pedestrian safety
RENTON: Renton Mayor Denis Law was joined Monday, December 9, 2013, by dignitaries representing state
and regional governments, funding agencies and local businesses for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony officially
completing the $42 million Rainier Avenue South Improvement Project. The ceremony took place in the
parking lot of McLendon Hardware in Renton.
“We are really pleased to complete this project ahead of schedule,” said Mayor Denis Law. “This is one of the
major corridors in our city and these improvements provide significant benefits to businesses, en hance the
economic vitality of our downtown, and strengthen transportation in and through Renton.”
Rainier Avenue South serves as the major north-south thoroughfare through Renton and connects South King
County and South Seattle to Renton. The completed Rainier Avenue project will result in a safer, more
aesthetically pleasing major north-south corridor to Renton. The project will improve transit mobility, upgrade
traffic safety, and enhance pedestrian safety with new 8-foot wide sidewalks, landscaped buffers, improved
street lighting and welcoming art displays creating a “gateway” to the city of Renton.
“Congratulations to the City of Renton and all of the project partners for working together on this important
investment for our community,” said Congressman Adam Smith. “With new lanes, wider sidewalks, improved
lighting, and safer pedestrian access, this project has created a gateway to Renton that truly reflects the spirit
of this great city.”
The project is a funding collaboration of the City of Renton, Sound Transit, US Departmen t of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration, Transportation Improvement Board, Washington State Department of
Transportation, Puget Sound Regional Council, and the Department of Commerce Public Works Department.
In addition the City obtained a Stormwater Retrofit and LID Grant from the Washington State Department of
Ecology covering 85% of the cost of stormwater infrastructure improvements.
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Phase 1 of the Rainier Avenue Project, completed in 2008, replaced the BNSF railroad bridge crossing over
Rainier Avenue between South 4th Place and S/SW 7th Street. Phase 2, completed in 2009, replaced utility
infrastructure, replaced the Shattuck Avenue railroad bridge, widened Shattuck Avenue at South 4th Place, and
improved pedestrian areas adding sidewalks and landscaping. The culminating and final phase of this project
consisted of a complete overhaul of Rainier Avenue South between Grady Way and South 3 rd Street resulting
in improved transit mobility, upgraded traffic safety, enhanced pedestrian safety, expanded business access
and added welcoming art displays creating a “gateway” to the City of Renton.
“The Rainier Avenue Improvement Project is an excellent example of many community partners coming
together to complete a very important project that eases congestion, enhances traffic safety, and improves
transit,” said Stevan Gorcester, Executive Director Transportation Improvement Board.
For more information call Linda Moschetti at 425-430-7394.
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