Major improvements are coming soon to Chehalis Avenue in Chehalis with the recent approval of a transportation enhancement grant by the federal government.
“We asked for a total of $90,860 and were awarded that,” Chehalis Public Works Director Tim Grochowski said Monday night at the City Council meeting.
That money will be used with “soft matches” from organizations like the Chehalis Renaissance Team to use $114,960 for placing four-way stops, planting trees and plants, and buying park benches.
However, total renovation of the street is going to cost $1.7 million, Grochowski said. That will include ripping out the street and its sidewalks down by two feet and putting in a gravel road base and new street, including antique street lights.
On Thursday, Grochowski and his department will meet with the Transportation Improvement Board — a combination of state and federal officials — for grant money that will cover remaining costs. Approval for that money isn’t expected until the end of this year. Once approved and designs are finalized, construction could begin in 2012.
“It seems like all these grants could fall into place,” Grochowski said.
The current sidewalks off the street are 10 to 11 feet wide but will be reduced to about half that width.
“It’s part of the oldest part of town, so they built wide sidewalks,” Grochowski said. “If we shorten the sidewalks up, it will give us more room for traffic and for parking.”
