taxp Repor ayer t to s enc losed
Community Connection
Issue 70
City of Sumner Newsletter
Spring 2012
Warm Weather Brings New Projects to Sumner Like any year, spring means the return of flowers, birds and construction projects. Here is an overview of what is coming in 2012. SALMON CREEK CULVERTS The City will be replacing two existing culverts in Salmon Creek, alleviating flooding and also improving habitat for wildlife such as the namesake salmon. The construction equipment will gain access at the end of Parker Road. POOLE ROAD The City has detected water quality issues in Salmon Creek, likely because of failing septic systems in this area. To address this, the City will be replacing the existing stormwater and water pipes as well as
installing a new sewer line to serve those houses along Poole Road, south of Salmon Creek. This project will also include road improvements and street restoration. PUYALLUP STREET Retrofits need to be made to the stormwater system along Puyallup Street. The City will be installing small stormwater treatment units throughout the basin and replace some roadway. These systems are built into the curb, gutter and sidewalk, so the crews will do all they can to minimize the impact to traffic along Puyallup Street west of the railroad tracks and toward Fryar Avenue. There may be some impacts as well to Tacoma Avenue and 45th Avenue.
Trail East Valley Resurfacing
Puyallup Street
Salmon Creek
Poole Road Trail
Parker Rd Sidewalks
continued on page 3
Sumner Remembers Veterans
Bridge Loses Some Weight
Please join us in remembering and honoring our veterans. The Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the Sumner City Cemetery on Monday, May 28, at 10 am. Please join us in placing flags on all veterans’ graves on Thursday, May 24.
In 1927, the first cars crossed the Bridge Street Bridge. At that time, a picture of Herbert Hoover was transmitted in the dawning of what would become television. Charles Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic in the Spirit of St. Louis, and carving began at Mt. Rushmore. A lot has changed since then, including the bridge’s ability to safely transport large, heavy trucks and buses. The bridge is now closed to any vehicles weighing over 12 tons. The bridge remains open and safe to pedestrians, passenger cars, smaller commercial trucks and SUVs. By removing the strain of heavier trucks and buses, the bridge can remain a connection for smaller vehicles until it can be replaced. This change came after both Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Jacobs Engineering Group, a consultant hired by Sumner, recommended lowering the weight limit on the bridge. The City has worked with the businesses in the area as well as regional companies to use alternate routes. East Pierce Fire & Rescue can dispatch to both sides of the bridge from the Sumner or Edgewood stations, and the Sumner School District has already rerouted its buses. Just like TV has developed beyond a fuzzy picture of Herbert Hoover, and planes no longer look like the Spirit of St. Louis, today’s cars and trucks demand a wider bridge. Refurbishment of this bridge would come at a steep cost to Sumner since there are no grants for refurbishment, and the bridge’s limited capacity would still remain a problem. For those reasons, the City of Sumner will seek funding for a replacement bridge, including money to pay for architectural echoes of the current bridge. State and regional transportation dollars are tight, but the City will do all it can to secure funding for a replacement. In the meantime, the current bridge is on a strict diet of only vehicles weighing 12 tons or less.
Shred& Clean
April 28, 2012 10 am - 2 pm
Event
Celebrate spring, Earth Day, and the fact that your taxes are done. Get rid of the following items all in one place:
Sensitive documents for immediate shredding Left-over prescriptions to Sumner Police Light bulbs & batteries to McLendon Hardware Old cell phones to YWCA for violence victims Clothes, household items and electronics to Goodwill
Old Red Apple Parking Lot Corner of Maple & Alder
www.ci.sumner.wa.us
The bridge can hold people and cars, but not large trucks.