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close$2 million appropriated for Shaw Road extension
Senate subcommittee dealing with transportation and development headed by Sen. Patty Murray provides vital funding for Puyallup Shaw Road project
Nate Hulings
The upgrades to Shaw Road may not be complete until 2010 but funding is close to being a done deal.
The U.S. Senate Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., appropriated $2 million for the Shaw Road extension project. The bill is part of the 2009 federal budget and still needs to pass both the Senate and the House but city officials remain optimistic about receiving the final funding for the 10-year, $24 million project.
“We are really grateful for the hard work of Sen. Murray and her staff,” City Manager Gary McLean said.
As proposed, the Shaw Road expansion includes adding bike lines, sidewalks and turn lanes at the Pioneer Way intersection. The road will also be expanded to meet with East Main Avenue, along with the creation of an overpass for vehicles to avoid train traffic.
Puyallup Mayor Don Malloy said the project would have little chance of success if not for the city’s constant communication with Murray.
“The money is a result of a positive relationship between the city council and Patty Murray,” Malloy said. “The council and city staff has worked closely with her to bring needs of the city to the government.”
McLean and city councilmembers including Kathy Turner and Mike Deal made multiple trips back to Washington, D.C., over the past few years to visit with congress members and staff to keep them updated on the project and the need for additional funding.
“Getting the appropriation is a showing of hard work with our legislators,” Turner said.
She also said that the project is one of the most positive things currently happening in the city.
The city has split up the project into three phases. The first phase is already complete and included storm water and tension facility construction.
McLean said phase two is currently in the bidding stages and will create a vehicular bridge over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail lines so the extended Shaw Road can avoid train traffic and eventually intersect with East Main.
This phase of the project also caught the attention of some state groups and the railroad company. The $2 million proposed by Murray marks the finishing touches on funding that comes from multiple sources.
The city received $6 million per recommendation from the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB), a state group that proposes funding to the state legislature for projects that encourages freight commerce and movement within cities. McLean says BNSF Railway also provided $750,000 for the project because an overpass would improve speed and safety while freight travels through the city.
The proposed overpass joins Highway 512 as the only other roadway to pass over the rail road.
Phase three includes paving and adding sidewalks and traffic signal devices.
Despite a finished product due in 2010 and the hopes that an extended Shaw Road connecting to East Main will decrease traffic on Meridian, Malloy said he believes this project is only the beginning when it comes to dealing with the city’s traffic issues.
“Its still not going to meet all the needs of the city,” Malloy said. “(We) still need to improve Shaw Road as it travels south past Manor. We have a long ways to go but it’s a good start. It’s not a miracle but its part of the long-range solution.”
The mayor also highlighted a joint city-county road project off 94th St. as an indication the city is serious about relieving traffic issues near Highway 512.
The $2 million is part of $5.77 million set aside for Pierce County transportation and housing in the U.S. Senate THUD Appropriations bill. If the $2 million is not secured through the federal bill, McLean said the remaining money would come from either moving impact fees or general fund subsidies.