MARYSVILLE — The construction work to create a new continuous roadway between Interstate 5 and State Route 9 begins Jan. 22.

In December of 2009, the Marysville City Council awarded a $2.9 million contract to the Oak Harbor-based SRV Construction for the Ingraham Boulevard Project, designed to link I-5 and SR 9. The Council will join Marysville Mayor Dennis Kendall, representatives of the Marysville School District and the U.S. Navy, and invited lawmakers to break ground on the project Jan. 22, at 10 a.m., at the intersection of 88th Street and 67th Avenue.

The new roadway will provide a full four-lane extension of 88th Street NE, from 67th Avenue through the Grace Creek basin east to 74th Drive, according to city of Marysville Public Works Director Kevin Nielsen. Furthermore, Getchell Hill Road will be realigned to form a new intersection with Ingraham Boulevard and 82nd Avenue near the entrance to the Marysville-Getchell High School that’s currently under construction. Both Ingraham Boulevard and the new high school are scheduled to open in September of this year.

“This new multi-lane road connection will allow a safer route between 67th Avenue and state Route 9, as well as the new high school,” Kendall said. “Ultimately, this will also help better move drivers between the freeway and State Route 9, and help alleviate traffic congestion.”

The project is being funded by $2.2 million from the city of Marysville’s growth management street fund, as well as a $982,737 grant from the state Transportation Improvement Board.

Nielsen explained that other project features will include bike lanes, curbs, gutters, sidewalks and a system to channel, treat and detain storm water. Crews will also realign Grace Creek and install a fish passage culvert, along with wetland rehabilitation and enhancements.

The roadway is being named in honor of the USS Ingraham, a guided missile frigate based at Naval Station Everett that the city adopted in April of 1999, through the Navy’s adopt-a-ship program.