100 days of construction is coming to Ruddell Road in Lacey
Lacey City Council has awarded a $1.12 million contract to repair a failing retaining wall along Ruddell Road, as well as widen the sidewalk and add more lighting to a stretch of street that is known to be very dark at night.
The work will take about 100 days and begin in early 2021, according to city information. The winning bidder was Barcott Construction of Chehalis.
The focus of the work is on the west side of Ruddell Road, between Brentwood Drive and 27th Avenue Southeast, a distance of one-quarter mile, public works director Scott Egger told the council Thursday night. The retaining wall there is failing, he said.
The sidewalk will be widened to 10 feet, similar to what can be found on College Street near the largely complete roundabout at 22nd Avenue. The area also will get eight new light poles, with dual heads, meaning one light will brighten the street, while the second light brightens the sidewalk, he said.
However, 90 trees will have to be removed to make way for the work. Although a majority of property owners in the area support the city’s work, it will change the characteristics of the drive, Egger said.
Deputy Mayor Cynthia Pratt asked if there was a way to offset the loss of the trees.
Egger said new trees will be planted in sidewalk planters and property owners have the option of replanting.
Councilman Malcolm Miller inquired about traffic delays during the project.
Traffic will be delayed during construction, Egger said. However, now that the work on College Street is nearly complete, traffic on Ruddell Road can be diverted to College Street during construction, he said.
“This is really going to change Ruddell Road,” Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder said.
This story was originally published September 25, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
