Why is Valley Avenue so rough between Freeman Rd and 70th Ave E?
Valley Avenue from 70th Ave E to Freeman Rd was built long ago and below today’s structural standards required for such arterial roadways. The original roadway had a 16-foot concrete surface and over the years it has been overlaid with asphalt pavement and widened to its current width. The structural strength of the concrete section is stronger than the widened asphalt portion that has a substandard base. Heavy truck loads have caused differential settlement between the concrete and asphalt sections and damaged the widened asphalt section. This section of Valley Ave is the number one priority on the City’s six year Transportation Improvement Program. Re-construction work is scheduled to begin in June 2009. Because of the planned re-construction, the City has not invested in major repair work. Development of the project has taken longer than expected because of extensive permitting requirements and complexity of the design issues and right-of-way coordination.
