April showers bring May flowers...but sunny April weather brings new asphalt to highways and roads near Gig Harbor

By Angela Cochran

There are a lot of reasons to enjoy spring in the Pacific Northwest – the sun comes out more, cherry blossoms appear, tulips and daffodils start popping up, and a different kind of plant opens – the kind that makes asphalt!

While asphalt may not be top of the mind for you, the Purdy community has a reason to be excited. Paving that could not happen over the wet, cold fall and winter months can start at the State Route 302 Spur. Later this year, paving and striping will also be the final step before the new eastbound SR 16 bridge opens.

Last year, our contractor completed the new SR 302 Spur bridge in Purdy near Gig Harbor. To complete this portion of the fish passage project, they needed to pave sections of the spur and surrounding local roads. Unfortunately, after just a couple of nights of paving, temperatures dropped too low for them to finish. Now that work is about to start up again.

Last October, crews paved the approaches to the new SR 302 bridge
and a section of 144th Street before it got too cold.

That means the new shared-use path on the State Route 302 Spur bridge will soon open to people who walk or roll. The path will extend along the SR 302 Spur on the lagoon side from 144th Street Northwest to Purdy Lane Northwest. A crosswalk at both ends will allow people to get to and from the path. We don’t have a date for opening the path yet. It all depends on just how rainy late April will be. We need the dry, warmer weather to hold long enough to get the new asphalt and striping down. Once the paving work starts, crews expect to complete it within a few weeks as long as the weather holds. We will provide updates on our project webpage, app and travel center map.

The shared-use path is a direct result of working with the community to create a highway that benefits all travelers. This is what our Complete Streets approach is all about.

When paving and striping are complete, people will have a new shared-use path
on the SR 302 Spur between 144th Street and Purdy Lane.

What to expect

If the weather cooperates, in late April, travelers will see nighttime lane closures on the SR 302 Spur, 144th Street Northwest and Purdy Lane Northwest for paving and striping work. The exit from SR 16 to the SR 302 Spur will also close. Travelers heading to the westbound SR 302 spur will detour via the Burnham Drive exit and Purdy Drive. The on-ramp to SR 16 will also close during this time. Travelers will take Purdy Drive to Burnham Drive to get onto westbound SR 16.

This paving work includes restoring Purdy Lane Northwest to its original configuration with parking available on the shoulders as well as new asphalt on the road itself. That’s good news for Peninsula High School staff and students who sometimes use the area for overflow parking. We really appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding with these temporary changes.

SR 16 update

The new eastbound SR 16 bridge is scheduled to open to travelers this summer. Crews poured the bridge deck at the end of March. Then they started paving the roadway leading up to and away from the bridge. We expect to move traffic out of the median and onto the new bridge in May or June. Crews will then remove the temporary lanes in the median to start work on the stream under the bridge.

Crews poured concrete on the new eastbound SR 16 bridge
at the end of March.

Work in the water is allowed July 15 through September 1. Crews will start to “de-fish” the stream, which means removing and documenting fish and other marine life in the stream. The stream will be temporarily diverted through pipes to the other side of the highway so crews can build the streambed in its new location under the bridge. This work includes adding sediment and large tree trunks to provide refuge for salmon and other fish species as they migrate through Purdy Creek. The final piece of the puzzle is the landscaping. After the in-water work is complete, we will add native plants along the stream to provide nutrients and food for the fish. Crews will work through the fall to finish any final elements of the project.

In summer 2023, our contractor set up a large barrier in Burley Lagoon to prevent marine life from accessing the work area. Crews will install a similar but smaller barrier at SR 16
for the in-water work there.

We will send out advance notification before moving traffic onto the new bridge. This work also depends on dry, warm weather because we will be paving and striping. Make sure you are signed up for email updates to get the latest information on this project and other major roadwork in Pierce County.

We also ask that everyone slows down and pays attention in the work zones. We are so close to the finish line. Please keep our crews safe so they can go home to their families at the end of their shifts.

Whenever near work zones please:

• Slow down – drive the posted speeds, they’re there for your safety.
• Be kind – our workers are out there helping to keep you safe and improve the roadways.
• Pay attention – both to workers directing you and surrounding traffic.
• Stay calm – leave early; no meeting or appointment is worth risking someone’s life.

Please slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.