“Paving has been completed on Ambaum to about S.W. 151st St.,” reads the city’s website. “The contractor hopes to complete paving to 4th Ave. S.W. the evening of June 17. Painting of lines marking lanes will be done early next week.”

The city says that all work on Ambaum “is expected to be completed by the July 4th weekend.”

We say Woot!

Scott Schaefer snapped these pics from his bike Friday night:

The City of Burien says on its website that the contractor doing the paving work on Ambaum Blvd. SW “hopes to resume paving on Monday, June 13, continuing throughout the week.”

“Intermittent wet weather has caused postponement of scheduled paving,” adds the website, which continues:

Paving will begin at S.W. 124th St. progressing southbound.

Traffic from the affected lanes will be rerouted to 4th Ave. SW.

Completion of paint striping and raising of street utilities lids, grates and valves will require an additional 2 to 3 weeks.

All work on Ambaum Blvd S.W. should be completed by the end of June.

For more details on this and other city projects, click here.

A major flippin' part of Ambaum has finally been flippin' paved!

Asphalt paving has finally flippin’ begun on Ambaum Blvd. SW, with the first layers added to a section between SW 126th and SW 112th on Monday and Tuesday this week (May 9 & 10).

We drove it Wednesday morning (May 11), and the smoothness makes one heck of a flippin’ difference to our little Mini Cooper Blogmobile (read our previous, too-snarky-for-some flippin’ story here, and be sure to read the Comments…).

The city’s website says:

“The contractor began laying asphalt Monday night (May 9) on Ambaum Blvd. S.W. As of Wednesday (May 11), the section of Ambaum between S.W. 112th and S.W. 126th streets had been completed.  Grinding work and paving will continue, moving south from S.W. 126th St. this week and into next week.

During the nighttime work, traffic is being channeled and also detoured in some areas. No parking will be allowed on the street and driveway access may be temporarily affected during these times.  Use of alternate routes such as 4th Ave. S.W. is recommended.

Asphalt laying had been delayed because of the wet weather, although the contractor is ahead of schedule.  Rain also has been causing delays in the grinding process since wet pavement prevents lanes from being clearly marked.”

As for the remaining section that remains rough and un-paved, Steve Botkin from the City of Burien says:

“Not sure of the paving schedule now that the rain has returned, but at least they got it started.”

by Ralph Nichols

Tucci & Sons Inc. of Tacoma is the apparent low-bidder to provide 38,000 tons of asphalt for the initial phase of Burien’s 20-year asphalt overlay project, which is expected to begin in September.

Doug Lamothe, the capital projects manager for the city’s Public Works Department, said Tucci & Sons’ base bid was $5,721,582. Bids were requested for six project add-ons as well in case there is enough money to do the additional work.

“Right now we’re trying to determine how to piece in the add-ons with the money available,” Lamothe said. “The bids were extremely favorable so there’s a good chance that by the time we put all our numbers together we will be able to do most of the additional work as well in 2011.”

The city will have approximately $8.7 million from bonds it is issuing to pay for the first phase of the asphalt overlay project, which will be done during the remainder of this year’s construction season and throughout the construction season next year.

“At the rate we’re going, we’re hoping to have the contract awarded and a pre-construction conference by Sept. 1,” he continued. “Our first initial push is to make improvements on Ambaum Blvd.,” with road work starting later in the month.

“That is what we will probably see done this year before weather curtails construction activity. Generally speaking, the weather curtails asphalt work around Nov. 1, unless we get a stretch of warm weather, until early April.”

In addition to Ambaum Blvd. between SW 112th and SW 156th streets, the phase one base bid includes asphalt overlays on 4th Ave. SW between SW 154th and 156th streets, S/SW 128th St. between Des Moines Memorial Drive and Ambaum, and SW 148th St. between Ambaum and 4th Ave. SW.

Except for Ambaum, this work will be done in 2011.

Lamothe said the city is “extremely pleased with the bidding climate and the results of our project advertising and design, and we‘re looking forward to really making some improvements to the streets of Burien that are most in need of overlays.”

The 20-year asphalt overlay program, with a $19.4 million price tag, will put 2-inch asphalt overlays on more than 260 lane miles to restore and maintain city streets at an average Pavement Condition Index level of 80 percent. The current average condition of local streets is 68 percent.

A $10 vehicle license tab fee will generate $300,000 for the ongoing project beyond 2011, with savings the city will realize by doing in-house some programs previously done by King County providing the rest of the money annually.

The construction apparently will start at 148th SW and will move southward on First Ave South towards 160th; however, there are conflicting notes (read release below) that it will start at the south end, so we recommend just avoiding the entire area at all costs.

Here’s the release from the city:

The final paving phase has begun, starting with a pre-level of the roadway at the north end of the project.

There are areas where manhole and vault covers are above grade due to preparation for the final overlay – please use extreme caution and drive slowly.

Final paving will occur over the next two to three weeks, weather dependent, and will be done in segments and will occur at night between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Expect rolling closures of 1st Avenue South starting at the SOUTH end of the project moving north.

Paving will start on the east side of the roadway and move to the west side.

Use extreme caution as lane markings will follow after the pavement.

Please pay close attention to signage and detour directions during this time period.

If you have further questions, please contact Bruce McPherson, Resident Engineer, at 425/531‑0728 during business hours. 

Again, drive slowly and carefully during this phase of the project for your safety and that of the workers. Thank you.

Map of the mess (click on the placeholder icons for more info):

View Larger Map

We’re not 100% certain, but our best guess is that it’s a weather-related decision (paving + rain = bad mix?).

Here’s their language:

The overlay on First Ave. has been cancelled for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights.

On Wednesday day, the determination will be made as to, GO or NO GO for the Thursday night paving. 

The determination on Friday night paving, may or may not be made at this time depending on the weather outlook for Friday.

Doncha just love politicspeak?

“May or may not be made at this time…”!

So…ignore our previous post with subsequent dire warning interactive map, and drive all you want south on First Ave between 148th and 160th.

Personally, we’re going to go do a reckless circular pattern around that area, so look for the speeding green Mini Cooper with the BTB stickers on the doors!

Once paving begins, expect “significant impact on traffic patterns” from 7pm-7am because portions of First Ave South will be completely closed as the contractors move North to South.

Complete closures of First Ave South are being considered in order to expedite this phase of construction.

Trans-Tech work installing traffic signals and loops has taken longer than originally expected due to unforeseen repairs to existing loops for traffic signaling, however, this work is expected to be complete in the next 2-3 weeks.

Concrete work to install curbs, gutters and sidewalks to SW 146th is 95% complete. The remainder of the concrete will be completed after the overhead lines & poles are removed.  Pedestrians should use extreme caution in this work area.

Seattle City Light will be on site in the coming weeks to pull wire & install equipment in the vaults between SW 160th & 154th.

Qwest will be onsite pulling & splicing wires, and their activity will continue for the next several months as well.

Theft of materials and illegal dumping in construction holding areas has been reported. These types of crimes only hinder the progress of this project. If you see any suspicious activity, please call 911.

It is important to remember that the contractor is required to maintain access to all businesses and inform businesses when their driveway will be closed or impacted by construction. If your driveway is blocked during business hours, please contact Discover Burien or Bruce McPherson at 206.439.2330 and we will contact the contractor.

If you sustain damage from rocks or material from trucks traveling on SR509, SR518 or roads other than 1st Avenue, please note the date, time, and license # of the truck and contact the trucking company. All liability rests on the trucking companies responsible for damage.

Questions? Please call Discover Burien: 206.433.2882

Map of the mess (click on the placeholder icons for more info):

View Larger Map