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

UPDATE: The west half of I Street will be closed from 1^St Street west to the alley for about three months starting Monday, Nov. 18^th, for work on Phase 3 of the North 1^st Street Revitalization Project. Lane closures will be in effect 24/7. It’s estimated the west half of I Street will re-open the second week of February 2025. In addition, the traffic signal at I Street and N. 1^st Street will be flashing red during the lane closures. Access will be maintained to properties in the project area.

Yakima Transit detours

Yakima Transit route detours continue until Phase 3 is complete:

Funding, Phases 1 and 2 complete

“The North 1^st Street Revitalization Project is intended to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians. Another goal is to increase the economic development potential of the North 1^st 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 2^nd, 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 1^st 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 1^st 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.