The Burien City Council awarded on March 27 the contract for the long-awaited $26.2 million First Avenue South Improvement Project to Frank Coluccio Construction of Seattle.

Work will begin this spring and is expected to be completed no later than spring 2008.

The project will improve First Avenue South from Southwest 146th Street to Southwest 162nd Street.

The project to upgrade and beautify First Avenue South in Burien’s main business district is expected to give the corridor an economic shot in the arm.

“We’ve seen how the city’s improvements to Southwest 152nd have revitalized our downtown and we expect the same revitalization to take place on First Avenue South, with even more substantial improvements.” said Mayor Joan McGilton.

Additional turn lanes will be added at the intersections of South 148th and South 160th Streets, with new traffic signals at Southwest 150th Street.

Other improvements will include new curbs, gutters, drains and sidewalks to provide for wheelchair access, new lighting, and landscaping. Overhead utility lines will be relocated underground.

Ambaum Pond and other storm-drainage improvements in the Ambaum Sub-Basin also are part of the project.

According to city Public Works Director Stephen Clark, adding the Ambaum Sub-Basin project to the road project resulted in significant reduction in overall costs.

Clark also noted that having a single contractor do both jobs will result in cost savings.

The project was delayed from an anticipated start last summer because of bidding irregularities and bids that exceeded the budget for some project components.

It was put out again for bids in February.

A second phase of the First Avenue South Improvement Project north to Southwest 128th Street is planned for the future.

Access to businesses along First Avenue will remain open during the lengthy project. Businesses will be kept informed on street closures and other elements of the project that will affect access to stores.

Drivers can take alternate routes during construction to avoid delays. Check the City’s website at www.ci.burien.wa.us for progress reports.