Work continues on the Rainier Avenue South repaving project, as crews finished work on the west side of the roadway this week.

According to officials with the project, crews have finished the paving work on the southbound lanes of Rainier Avenue and are now moving on to paving the commercial areas, such as business driveways.

That work is scheduled to take place next week.

Over the past several months, Johansen Excavating, Inc. has completed installation of the joint utility trench (JUT) that holds utilities like electricity, gas and telecommunications services along the west side of the road. They also upgraded stormwater, sewer and waterline infrastructure.

Crews will also be pouring sidewalks nest week, which will require occasional lane closures and will affect some driveways and access while the work takes place.

Following the paving and concrete work, crews will begin work on signal pole placement. Construction officials expect to implement the lane shift (moving traffic to travel along the west side of Rainier Avenue S) in the next two to three months.

The overall project is on schedule and on budget, according to officials.

Project improvements to Rainier Avenue South include eliminating left-hand turn lanes, adding new north and southbound lanes to increase transit mobility and business access, building wider sidewalks and installing planter strips and upgraded lighting. Underground infrastructure is also being relocated or installed, namely gas, electricity, telecommunications and water.

The Rainier Avenue South Project is a funding collaboration of the City of Renton, Sound Transit, US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, Transportation Improvement Board, Washington State Department of Transportation, Puget Sound Regional Council and the Department of Commerce Public Works Board.