The third of three phases for the North 1st Street Revitalization Project is underway and is expected to be complete in June 2025. It includes North 1st Street from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to I Street.

UPDATE: Work on Phase 3 of N. 1st St. revitalization reaches a milestone July 17th when traffic will be switched over to the recently paved east half of the roadway. Traffic in the project section is one lane each way 24/7. The switch over means work on the eastern half of the roadway has progressed to a point that work can begin on the western half. Access is maintained to homes and businesses in the project area.

Yakima Transit detours

Yakima Transit route detours continue until Phase 3 is complete:

Access to businesses on N. 1st Street is being maintained during Phase 3 construction.

Funding, Phases 1 and 2 complete

Map showing project area for Phase 3 of N. 1st Street Revitalization

“The North 1st Street Revitalization Project is intended to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians. Another goal is to increase the economic development potential of the North 1st Street corridor, one of the city’s main entrances,” said Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler. “We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding during Phase 3 of this vital project.”

Phase 3 is expected to cost about $11.7 million.

It is being paid for with approximately $9.8 million from the following federal programs: NHFP (National Highway Freight Program), NHPP (National Highway Performance Program) and STBG (Surface Transportation Block Grant)

In addition, it is funded with $1.5 million from Washington state’s Transportation Improvement Board.

The remainder is paid for with a combination of Transportation Benefit District funds (a $20 annual car tab fee adopted by the Yakima City Council during its 2018 budget process) as well as local utilities.

Phase 2 was completed and approved for acceptance by the Yakima City Council on May 2nd, 2023. The cost for Phase 2 was about $2.6 million. It was funded through a combination of water, sewer and stormwater funds and $20 annual car tab fees.

Phase 1 of the North 1st Street Revitalization Project was completed in December 2019. It included improvements between Highway 12 to the north and N Street to the south. It cost about $3.3 million and funded mostly with federal and state funds.

For more about North 1st Street revitalization call Utility Project Manager Dana Kallevig at 509-249-6813.

Regular updates on the progress of Phase 3 will be provided through the City’s various communications platforms including the City website, City social media sites, news releases and Y-PAC programming.

Artist renderings of N. 1st Street improvements