By TRIBUNE STAFF
Published June 27, 2012

First Street/Avenue D signal work on schedule
Intersection will be open for Kla Ha Ya Days
SNOHOMISH - Phase 1 work on the First Street and Avenue D traffic signal is on track to be completed by mid-July.
Currently, the contractor is ahead of schedule with the bulk of phase 1 complete. The project itself will not be fully completed until around December when the signal poles themselves get installed and become operational, thus ending phase 2.
Up until now, the project has focused on upgrading underground sewer lines and installing underground storm water utilities, reshaping the intersection and adding the necessary underground electrical components to prepare for installation of the signal poles scheduled for this December.
The additional phase 1 work elements will include installing curb, gutter, and sidewalk; pole foundation preparation; paving; and crosswalk installation. A rough timeline of these items is as follows, depending upon weather:
• Week of June 18 — Install curb and gutter on east side of intersection.
• Week of June 25 — Install curb and gutter on the west side of intersection, install all sidewalk areas and prep pole foundations.
• Week of July 2 — Prep intersection for asphalt paving and pave intersection.
• Week of July 9 — Concrete crosswalk installation and channelization.
• Weeks of July 16 and 23 — Phase 1 closeout items (intersection to be open for Kla Ha Ya Days).
• August-November — Project on hold until pole parts arrive.
• December — Signal installation
Intermittent lane and partial intersection closures should be expected for First Street and for Avenue D for the remainder of phase 1 activities.
The traffic signal should improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety at the low-performing intersection, according to the city.
The addition of the signal is expected to allow for more efficient through traffic along Avenue D as well as force traffic to stop while pedestrians cross utilizing new push-button crosswalks. Bulbouts have also been added to offer additional traffic calming. This will especially be noticed for eastbound traffic as the necking-down of the intersection and the raised crosswalk across First Street on the east side of Avenue D will help to slow down vehicles as they enter Historic Downtown Snohomish.
Most of the project’s cost is being funded with a state grant. The rest is coming from city traffic impact fees and utility funds.