WSDOT To Resurface 10 Miles Of SR 7 In Pierce County This Summer

LAKEWOOD, WA — A major construction project is set to kick off next week, when Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) crews begin building a new road surface for 10 miles of State Route 7.

The work begins Monday, June 6, and should wrap up sometime in August, conditions permitting. The construction will be split into two work zones:

• The right lane of northbound SR 7 from SR 507, near JBLM, to 169th Street in Spanaway.
• The northbound and southbound rightmost lanes of SR 7 from near SR 512 to South 38th Street in Tacoma.

In an effort to limit traffic impacts, crews will be working on off hours, with single lane closures each night from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Friday night closures will begin at slightly later at 7:30 p.m., but last longer through 9 a.m. Saturday mornings. Drivers are asked to slow down and drive cautiously through the work zones to prevent any unfortunate accidents.

WSDOT warns that the process of removing and replacing the worn asphalt will be "unavoidably loud," meaning that some nearby businesses and homes may hear some noise as crews work overnight. The agency says they will do everything they can to work quickly and minimize disruptions.

While it might be a pain for drivers in the near future, once it's done, WSDOT promises the $2.6 million project will preserve SR 7 for years to come.