Coluccio Construction of Seattle, the general contractor for the First Avenue South Improvement Project in Burien, has begun preliminary work on the project.

Currently, this includes saw cutting the existing road surface and surveying at intersections. Heavy construction activity is expected to begin in the next few weeks.

A ceremonial groundbreaking for the project will take place Tuesday, July 25, at 2 p.m., at Herr Backyard Garden Center at the corner of Southwest 160th Street and First Avenue South. The public is invited.

The city of Burien already has set up a hotline, 206-439-3162, to keep residents and businesses informed of traffic disruptions and other information about the major roadway-rebuilding project.

Traffic delays have been minimal so far, but Burien officials are urging drivers to exercise patience or take alternate routes during construction.

Improvements will be made to First Avenue South between South/Southwest 162nd Street and South/Southwest 146th Street. Construction will take approximately 18 months.

The $19.3 million project will improve the safety and look of the roadway and improve traffic flow along the heavily congested corridor.

More information about the project can be found on the city of Burien website at www.ci.burien.wa.us.