Downtown Renton Construction: The clocktower takes a ride to its new temporary home

Hi everyone,

This week, we moved the clocktower! Oh how time literally flies. Shown below is a still image of the clocktower being raised midair via crane as it moves to its temporary spot. Our tall fellow hasn’t traveled far. It is situated a couple yards south from its original location.

Are you driving the right way downtown?  We know many of you are excited for the permanent conversion to two-way traffic. As a friendly reminder, Williams Ave S and Wells Ave S are still operating as one-way streets now that we’ve re-opened the intersections. We’ve added some additional signage downtown to remind everyone, but please drive with care.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION IN DOWNTOWN RENTON

1. Installing utilities under sidewalks at Williams Ave S and Wells Ave S on S 3rd St

The Wells-Williams Conversion Project is continuing sidewalk work on the northside of S 3rd St at Williams Ave S and Wells Ave S. We will begin prepping the sidewalk on the south side of S 3rd St for work on Saturday, 5/15. Next week, we are planning to pour concrete on the northside of S 3rd St.

We are coordinating with businesses that are directly impacted and are maintaining business access as best as possible. People walking will be detoured into adjacent curbside parking while we work on sidewalks. To avoid several weeks of sand blasting, which is loud, dusty, and disruptive to businesses downtown, we adjusted the type of concrete we’re using which takes 3 days to cure. Pouring of new concrete is also weather dependent.

2. Utility work on S 2nd St between Main Ave S and Burnett Ave S continues

The Wells-Williams Conversion Project is continuing utility work on S 2nd St. Through traffic on S 2nd St will continue to be reduced to a single-lane to give crews the space they need to work on underground utilities.

3. Mill Ave S between Bronson Way S and Houser Way S 

DUIP is continuing utility work on Mill Ave S between Bronson Way S and Houser Way S. The final water tie-ins were completed this week. The contractor is wrapping up work on Mill Ave S and traffic should return to normal on this stretch soon. Mills Ave S is reduced to one lane both directions between S 3rd St and Bronson Way S. Please follow posted signs and directions from flagger for safe access.

4. Stormwater Utility Work on Shattuck Ave S at S 4th Pl 

The Downtown Utility Improvement Project (DUIP) is continuing utility work on Shattuck Ave S beginning at the intersection of S 4th Pl and Shattuck Ave S. As work progresses, crews will move north along Shattuck to S 3rd St. Through traffic on Shattuck Ave S will continue to be reduced to one lane both directions between S 4th Pl and S 3rd St. Please follow posted signs and directions from flaggers for safe access.

5. Temporary Clock Tower Relocation 

Shared in the headliner above, the clock tower has moved with the use of a crane. It is now located in the parking at the southwest corner of S 3rd St and Burnett Ave S. The clock tower will remain in this temporary location for approximately 2-3 months as the construction work on S 3rd St progresses.

6. Dewatering on S 3rd St

This week, we began dewatering work on S 3rd St between Burnett Ave S and Logan Ave S and will be moving west towards Rainier Ave S. During construction work hours, S 3rd St will be closed between Burnett Ave S and Logan Ave S and reduced to one lane between Logan Ave S and Rainier Ave S. S 3rd St..

During non-work hours, S 3rd St will maintain a minimum of one lane of traffic throughout the project area (Burnett Ave S to Rainier Ave S).

Please follow posted signs and directions from flaggers for safe access.

	Questions about construction? Visit www.rentonwa.gov/ww or www.rentonwa.gov/duip for the latest updates. Call 425-363-1007 Email wellswilliams@rentonwa.gov or duip@rentonwa.gov.  Join us for virtual office hours every other Friday from 1-1:30 p.m.
	For COVID-19 Resources for Businesses visit whyrenton.com, call the small business hotline 206-503-1742 or email thrive@rentonwa.gov.