The City of Marysville will begin widening and improving the most challenging section of State Avenue, the city's busiest north-south arterial, starting early next year. The City Council on Dec. 9 awarded a $11.8 million construction contract to Strider Construction to build road improvements between 100th and 104th Streets NE northwest of Fred Meyer, including the section that crosses over Quilceda Creek. 

Project funding includes a $6.2 million grant from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB), $5 million of that for construction. 

The roadway section between 100th and 104th Streets NE is the only portion that was not substantially improved in recent years. Other sections were improved through four expansion projects ijn the past 20 years. The segment just north of 100th was long considered the most difficult and expensive because it would likely require construction of a new bridge across Quilceda Creek. 

Work will begin in early 2020 to expand State Avenue roadway capacity by building a new bridge and widening the roadway from three to five lanes; improving safety through signal upgrades, improved lighting and sidewalks; and enhancing the environment by treating runoff, restoring wildlife habitat and opening the stream corridor to improve fish passage. Many utilities will be moved underground. 

The city completed environmental review, permitting, right-of-way acquisition and design over the past two-plus years. Construction is expected to last through two seasons, reaching completion in fall 2021.