Yakima North First Street Project To Begin

The City of Yakima has been planning on North 1^st Street Revitalization project for years and now, at last, it looks like the project gets underway later this week.

In a press release, City Spokesperson Randy Beehler says " crews will begin saw cutting pavement this Thursday, March 14^th, in preparation for excavating underground utility lines."

That will mean the following travel restrictions:

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.

Thursday 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 Wednesday, March 20^th.

Rolling closures of the outside, northbound lane of North 1^stStreet between R Street and N Street will occur from Friday to next Wednesday between 7:30 am and 6:00 pm.

Beehler says, "Early next week...crews will begin excavating aging utility lines (water, sewer, stormwater), which are being replaced ....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 project 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.