Traffic Delays Coming As Yakima Begins Massive Overlay Project

Better allow for a few extra minutes on the drive to and from work for a while. Crews are getting started on what Yakima city officials call an "ambitious" repaving project.

The work will resurface more than 90 lane miles of Yakima-area roadways, beginning with a stretch of 40th and Lincoln avenues.

The $15 million project is part of a “grind and overlay,” which involves scraping out old asphalt and covering it over with new, significantly smoothing the way for local drivers.

Meantime, watch for periodic closures throughout this week on 40th between Fruitvale Boulevard an Summitview Avenue, and between 24th and 32 avenues along Lincoln, city officials say. Parts of those areas will be shut down overnight, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. through Friday. Detours will be in place.

The widespread project will eventually affect much of the city, but the work should be done by fall, officials hope.

“This project will come with some challenges for sure,” said Yakima Senior Engineer Bob Desgrosellier. “There will be times during the project where traffic may be a challenge. But getting this much repaving done all at once is likely going to be less impactful than it would be if we stretched it out over several years,” said Desgrosellier. “We ask that the community be as patient as possible while the work is underway. The repaved roads that we’ll have when we’re done will be worth it.”

City officials urge drivers to use alternate routes when they can while the work continues.