UPDATE: In a statement to Hoodline Seattle, a representative for Pierce County said, "The sewer project road closure on and around Spanaway Loop Road South has been postponed due to a materials delay. The 13-day closure of 116th Street South between Spanaway Loop Road South and Ainsworth Avenue South, which was anticipated to begin July 29, is now expected to begin no earlier than mid-August. That work must be completed before the closure of Spanaway Loop Road South between 116th Street South and Garfield Avenue South can begin. We will provide an updated time frame for that closure at a later date."
Travelers in the Parkland/Spanaway area should be prepared for a series of road closures starting late July, running through the end of the year, as Pierce County embarks on necessary infrastructure improvements. Spanaway Loop Road South, a critical arterial route, will be subject to closures due to crucial sewer system updates and repaving work intended to increase capacity and adhere to ADA standards. Pierce County Planning and Public Works announced the schedule for the series of closures that are set to disrupt local traffic flow.
Originally, starting Monday, July 29, 116th Street South near Spanaway Loop Road South will now be sealed off beginning from mid-August. The reopening date has not yet been announced, following news of the delay.. Following that, an extensive shutdown of Spanaway Loop Road South, between 116th Street South and Garfield Street South, was slated to begin on August 12 and is expected to continue until late October. This will be complemented, by brief, intermitted closures of roads such as 116th Street South and Garfield Street South near Spanaway Loop. Construction is also expected to close Garfield Street South between Spanaway Loop Road South and Ainsworth Avenue for a portion of late October through December. For two weeks in December, drivers will see Ainsworth Avenue at Garfield Street South closed.
The county's website provides a map detailing the closures, where updated closure dates and detour options will be posted. The disruptions, which will be enforced round the clock during the designated periods, promise to impact daily commutes and local travel. However, adjustments to the sewer line – part of the Parkland/Brookdale Interceptor – are imperative. According to the Pierce County announcement the existing pipeline is grappling with corrosion issues and is expected to reach full capacity by 2028 due to population growth and development in the region. The new pipeline to be installed is projected to serve the community's needs for decades to come.
Aligning with the 2024 Asphalt Overlay Program, resurfacing from Military Road South to 120th Street South is also part of the roadwork plan. This project not only serves to refresh the road surface but also aims to bring curb ramps up to current ADA compliance standards. Pierce County assures that throughout the project, emergency vehicles and residents will maintain local access. They encourage motorists to consider planning alternative routes and adjusting travel times where feasible. The infrastructure work signifies a considerable investment in the durability and functionality of the county's sewer system as well as its roads – elements critical to sustaining Pierce County’s growth and quality of life for its residents.
