The first of three phases of the North 1st Street Revitalization Project got underway about a month ago. Crews continue to focus on the installation of new underground utilities, including water and sewer pipes, during the early stages of construction on Phase 1 of the project.
Tapani Inc, based in Battleground, Washington, is the general contractor for Phase 1 of the project. As has been the case over the past few weeks, Tapani crews are currently working on removing pavement and excavating trenches to accommodate the new utility infrastructure.
At least one lane of traffic in each direction will be open most of the time during the current stage of Phase 1. Traffic may be interrupted completely from time to time, but construction crews are making every effort to maintain at least one lane of traffic both northbound and southbound throughout the project area as much as possible.
The North 1st Street Revitalization Project is intended to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians and increase the economic development potential of the North 1st 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 1st Street Revitalization Project will be provided through the City’s various communications platforms including the City website, City social media sites, news releases, etc.
In addition, to scroll through a story map created by City of Yakima Information Technology Services showing all three phases of the project, click the following link – https://gis.yakimawa.gov/portal/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=32457091c902460b83f1fe6bb5c4ea97