Phase 1 construction is nearing the end! Next week's sunny weather should enable significant progress to be made on tasks involving concrete pouring (road, curb, sidewalks), which are necessary to reopening the construction zone.
The Rucker Renewal project was divided into 3 phases for the express purpose of minimizing impacts to businesses and residents in the construction corridor. To estimate how long each phase might take, 150 contracted working days – not including weekends, holiday, weather that prohibits the work -- were broken into 3 approximate parts, which comes out to 2.5 months for each phase, weather permitting. The Rucker project began July 8, 3.5 months ago.
Phase 1 is physically twice as much territory than Phases 2 or 3. To allow traffic to remain open through the work zone and shorten the time needed for a full closure of the Phase 2 work later, the contractor worked ahead of the waterline portion of the Phase 2 work. The waterline is now completely installed, which is a major chunk of the project as a whole.
The contractor will transition to exclusively Phase 2 work with the opening of the Hewitt intersection, when Hewitt will becomes part of the Phase 2 detour. Finish work, including planting, will occur in spring.
THIS WEEK
Hoyt
- The contractor demolished the northwest and southwest corners and installed electrical and irrigation in them.
Rucker
- The contractor paved the waterline trench at Everett Ave.
- From Hewitt to Wall, on the east side, concrete paving began.
- On the west side of the road, from Everett to California and in the center planter, installation of electrical foundations, conduit and irrigation continued, as did curbs and sidewalk prep.
Wall
- Wall Street is open with a temporary asphalt surface. The road surface will be finished later in the project.
UPCOMING
Hoyt
- The contractor will finish sidewalks at the southeast corner. Striping is scheduled to occur Nov. 4-8, after which the road will be reopened to traffic.
Rucker
- The contractor expects to open the California Street intersection and the impacted portions on either side of Rucker in the next couple of weeks. Getting California opened as soon as possible is a priority in this section of work, weather permitting.
- Intermittent traffic delays at the Aero apartments will continue for the next month. These delays are expected to be of shorter duration than were in place previously.
- From Hewitt to Wall, on the east side, concrete paving will continue.
- On the west side of the road, from Everett to California and in the center planter, installation of electrical foundations, conduit and irrigation will continue, as will curbs and sidewalk prep. Sidewalks will start to go in.
REMINDERS
Work-zone vandalism has occurred outside of construction hours. To report suspicious activity, please call Everett Police's non-emergency line: 425-407-3999.
A pedestrian detour route will be available through the area. Vehicular access on Rucker Avenue between Hewitt and Wall will also remain open, including turnaround space at the north end of the roadway. A flagger will be present at the Hewitt/Rucker intersection during work hours. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction from Pacific to Wall; restricted to local business/residential access only from Wall to Hewitt. No through traffic will be allowed. The signed detour that has been in place will remain.
Waterline work has been completed and all services have been transferred to the new system.
Future closures of the Rucker and Everett Avenue intersection will occur later in the project in support of the traffic signal work at that intersection.
Business support
The City’s tourism channels (VisitEverett.com, facebook.com/visiteverett, instagram.com/visiteverett) have begun highlighting stakeholders impacted by the Rucker Renewal project, and yours could be next. If you're interested in your business being featured, please contact Julio Cortes at 425-257-7110.
Construction liaison info
Pedestrian access
The contract provides for an ADA compliant 6-foot protected and lighted pedestrian path, and any pedestrian detours will be signed. Pedestrians are discouraged from traveling in the work zone, but when necessary, the contractor is required to provide escorts during work hours.
Business entrances
Business entrances will always be accessible either via an existing sidewalk or a temporary asphalt sidewalk.
Work hours
Project work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with possible evening work. Everett’s noise ordinance prohibits work between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. during the week and between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m. on weekends, unless a variance has been issued. Please note that Everett's noise ordinance allows work until 10 p.m. on Saturdays.
Historical findings
See images of historical finds from the Rucker Renewal project in the photo gallery.