MARYSVILLE — The State Avenue Improvement Project, from 136th to 152nd streets, is both on schedule and will reach a pivotal milestone Aug. 17, when the contractor will begin final paving overnight starting at

7 p.m.

According to city of Marysville Public Information Officer Doug Buell, the work continues Aug. 18-21 during daytime hours.

“There shouldn’t be too much traffic interruption during paving, but local businesses may be inaccessible for limited periods during pavement overlay,” Buell said. “Paving will occur through the entire corridor from 136th to 152nd streets.”

In April of last year, the City Council awarded a $12 million contract to Granite Northwest, Inc., of Everett, to widen State Avenue to five lanes within the mile-long span of 136th to 152nd streets, with the ultimate goal of providing five lanes from 116th to 172nd streets.

The project’s improvements include widening State Avenue from two lanes to five lanes, upgrading the traffic signal at 136th Street NE, installing a new signal at 152nd Street NE, and adding various street-scape elements, including planted median strips and sidewalk buffers, as well as decorative signal poles and lighting.

State Avenue is used by upwards of 22,000 vehicles per day, and figures heavily as a main access to development within the Smokey Point Master Plan area, as well as the oft-proposed University of Washington-North Sound branch campus site.

“Our key goals are to expand roadway capacity and improve safety for motorists and pedestrians, the latter of whom will benefit from the new sidewalks and crossing signals,” said city of Marysville Public Works Director Kevin Nielsen. “When the work is done, the street-scape design elements we are adding will be a welcome and attractive addition to this stretch of State Avenue.”