Road project begins

Motorists driving into downtown Shelton on West Railroad Avenue face delays and one-way traffic as the city launches its ambitious Western Gateway construction project.

On Tuesday, crews began work to install a new water main, water service improvements and storm drain improvements on the West Railroad Avenue corridor between Eighth Street and Pacific Court, the city's western border. After the underground utilities are installed, new pavement, curbs, gutters and sidewalks will be laid. A new bus pullout with a bus shelter will be created near Pacific Court.

In preparation for the project, the city removed the railroad tracks that crossed Railroad Avenue near the 11th Street intersection.

Traffic is reduced to one lane in the construction zone, with work hours typically between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The city notes that the driving lanes are narrow, and heavy equipment and trucks are entering and leaving the work zone.

A flagger is at the intersection of West Railroad Avenue and West Franklin Street to help the traffic flow.

The city is providing project updates on its Facebook and Twitter accounts, and on its project website at sheltonwa.gov/westerngateway. A direct link for the project webpage is on the menu for the city's app.

The project is listed as the top priority in the city's Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan. The $2.6-million project is funded in part by the Transportation Improvement Board and the American Rescue Plan Act.