Construction will begin this month on upgrades to the 50-year-old 53rd Street Pump Station near Alki Beach Park.

Improvements will increase system reliability and performance by tripling the pump station's underground capacity to serve growth while protecting views and access to recreational areas.

The project will also include replacing aging equipment and provide safer on-site access for utility crews performing operation and maintenance tasks. Other improvements will enable better off-site monitoring of flows to and from the pump station.

The project improvements will also help control combined overflows of storm water and sewage that occur near the pump station during very heavy rains, supporting the county's mission to protect public health, the environment and reduce pollution discharges in Puget Sound.

Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2009.

While work is under way, there will be no on-street parking next to the construction site on Alki Avenue Southwest, and flaggers will direct traffic, which will be reduced to one lane in each direction during work hours. People should expect short travel delays, especially during summer months when there are more beach and park users in the area, and pedestrians and cyclists should use caution.

Construction will also affect Metro bus routes 37 and 53 as several stops in the immediate vicinity of the project will be temporarily closed.

Throughout this project, King County will work closely with its contractor, MKB Constructors of Kirkland, to minimize impacts to the community, respond to concerns and provide information about work activities and traffic revisions.

For specific questions or concerns about the project, please call the 24-hour construction hotline at 206-205-5656. For more information about the project, visit the project Web site at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/projects/westseattle/53rdAvePS/ or call 206-684-1207 or 711 TTY Relay.