State transportation budget funds 31st Ave. overpass in Puyallup
March 8 the Legislature passed a supplemental transportation budget that includes $1.1 million to begin work on widening the 31st Avenue SW overpass in Puyallup.
Rep. Hans Zeiger, R-Puyallup, worked to secure this funding in the transportation spending plan.
“South Hill desperately needs relief from traffic congestion,” said Zeiger. “The 31st Avenue overpass widening will help to move cars on Meridian and 94th, and it will make the driving experience on South Hill safer for everyone.”
The 31st Avenue SW overpass is a two-lane bridge over State Route 512 that connects to SR 161/Meridian and is a major access point to the South Hill Mall. There were 88 collisions along this corridor in the last three years.
“We're very appreciative of Rep. Zeiger's help in securing funds to study the 31st Avenue bridge project,” said Puyallup Mayor Rick Hansen. “The bridge has long been a traffic bottleneck and hazard for our police and fire personnel trying to respond to public safety emergencies in the area.”
The transportation spending plan, House Bill 2190, contains millions of dollars in new construction and improvements, including others in the 25th Legislative District:
- Additional funding to replace the Meridian Puyallup River Bridge, totaling $5.8 million for the 2011-13 biennium;
- $3 million over the next three years for right-of-way and environmental planning to extend Highway 167 from Puyallup to the Port of Tacoma.
“The extension of Highway 167 to the Port of Tacoma is the single most important project for the economic prosperity of our region,” said Zeiger. “I look forward to collaborating with all of the stakeholders to finally finish Highway 167.”
For additional information on the SR 167 extension project, see the Washington State Department of Transportation project website at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR167/TacomaToEdgewood/default.htm.
CONTACT: Kurt Hammond, Public Information Officer, (360) 786-7794
