There’s a lot of work happening on Auburn’s streets this summer.
In fact, the city of Auburn has 40 active capital street projects in the works, with an approximate total value of $135.8 million, with 22 of them in the design stage ($85.2 million), and eight under construction ($50.6 million).
On July 28, Senior Project Engineer Matt Larson and Transportation Planner Veronica Bean brought Auburn City Council members up to date on the status of capital projects on Auburn’s streets in this construction year.
Larson added a caution for council members interpreting the meaning of all those dollar figures.
“These project values span multiple years. Some projects may take a year, some may take several years, so just keep that in mind when you’re looking at these numbers,” Larson advised council members.
When you are on the move, be on the lookout for these projects, and plan accordingly.
• CP2328, A Street Southeast Pavement Preservation from 37th Street Southeast to Lakeland Hills Way with curve ramps. Pavement and striping are complete, and all that remains are some expansion joints on the bridge deck.
• CP2123, C Street Southwest Preservation, from West Main south to the old GSA entrance known as Colleen Road. This project calls for a lot of utility work, specifically on a water main. The first section of the water main near West Main is completed, and when the second section of the water main near GSA Park is installed, curbs and gutters can be added on the northbound side. All water main work has been at night.
• CP2107, Maintenance and Operations facility improvements. This project expands the city’s facility by adding a maintenance area for small-fleet vehicles. All underground work is complete with some surface work remaining. A prefabricated metal building will be brought on-site and installed. Work should be complete by spring 2026.
• CP2321, Downtown Infrastructure Improvements. All of the underground utilities for this project are complete, all the curbing has been poured, and sidewalks are in progress. Portions of the B Street Plaza are starting to come together. Paving coming up shortly.
Transportation Planner Veronica Bean discussed the objectives of another program now in progress, The Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program, as follows:
• Improve safety for all road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists.
• Reduce speeds in neighborhoods so that most cars drive at or below the posted speed limit.
• Discourage cut-through vehicle traffic and to encourage drivers to use streets that are designed for higher traffic volumes.
• Educate residents through traffic safety awareness and outreach.
• Meet Auburn’s equity goals with a proactive approach.
Work has just started on the 2025 program, which will focus on projects in three areas:
1. Adding speed cushions to the area around Dick Scobee Elementary School, including 16th Street Northeast, K Street Northeast up to Harvey Road, and 14th Street Northeast at the intersection with O Street, where the city will replace the east-west stop sign with speed cushions on the approaches.
2. Additional speed cushions between 6th Street Northeast and Main, and between M and R Streets Northeast.
3. Dogwood Street Northeast with speed cushions between 19th Place Northeast just north of Muckleshoot Casino up to Skyway Lane Southeast.
“One of the reasons we did a little shift from just Traffic Calming (previous years’ program name) to Traffic Safety is we want to look traffic safety in the neighborhoods, instead of just focusing on the speeds,” Bean said. “That might include looking at more safety hazards regarding pedestrians and cyclists.”
The Capital Project Status (CPS) report is available online at www.auburnwa.gov/city_hall/public_works/capital_projects.
