Preliminary work on the long-awaited North 1^st Street Revitalization project will likely get underway later this week and more construction activity will be taking place starting early next week.

Tapani Inc, based in Battleground, Washington, is the general contractor for Phase 1 of the three-phase project. Tapani crews will begin saw cutting pavement this Thursday, March 14^th, in preparation for excavating underground utility lines.

As a result, the outside, northbound lane of North 1^st Street near its intersection with R Street will be closed to traffic for most of the morning this Thursday beginning at 8:00 am.  That afternoon, the outside, southbound lane of North 1^st Street near its intersection with R Street will be closed for saw cutting until about 6:00 pm.

Saw cutting work will impact traffic on sections of North 1^st Street beginning this Friday, March 15^th and lasting through next Wednesday, March 20^th.  Rolling closures of the outside, northbound lane of North 1^st Street between R Street and N Street will occur from Friday to next Wednesday between 7:30 am and 6:00 pm.    

Early next week, possibly as soon as Tuesday, March 19^th, Tapani crews will begin excavating aging utility lines (water, sewer, stormwater), which are being replaced as part of the revitalization project. The project also includes reconstructing the North 1^st Street roadway, rebuilding sidewalks, installing new lighting, building new median islands, redirecting utility lines, and enhancing landscaping.

The North 1^st Street Revitalization Project is intended to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians and increase the economic development potential of the North 1^st Street corridor, one of the main entrances to the city.      

Phase 1 includes improvements being made between Highway 12 to the north and about N Street to the south. It is estimated to cost about $3.3 million and is being paid for mostly with federal and state funds.  Phase 1 is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019.

Phase 2 includes improvements from about N Street to the north to about I Street to the south. It is scheduled to begin in spring 2020 and be completed by the end of that year.  Phase 2, which is estimated to cost about $3 million, will be paid for mostly from revenues generated through a $20 annual car tab fee adopted by the Yakima City Council during its 2018 budget process.

Phase 3 includes improvements from about I Street to the north to MLK Jr. Boulevard to the south. It will also be paid for mostly by revenues generated from car tab fees.  Construction on Phase 3, which is estimated to cost about $9.2 million, is scheduled to begin in spring 2021 and be completed by the end of that year.

Regular updates on the progress of the North 1^st Street Revitalization Project will be provided through the City’s various communications platforms including the City website, City social media sites, news releases, etc.