Project Overview
Custer Road, between Bridgeport Way and 75th Street, is a four-lane principal arterial carrying approximately 20,000 vehicles per day. This section of Custer Road is in very poor condition. The current Pavement Condition Index is 35, the lowest among Lakewood’s principal arterials. In practical terms, the roadway is beyond normal repair and requires full reconstruction. The corridor is lined with commercial businesses, has no sidewalks, and lacks a two-way left-turn lane to support business access and cross-street movements.
This project will reconstruct the roadway and add several safety and access improvements, including curbs, sidewalks, street lighting, a two-way left-turn lane, storm drainage, and a new roadway surface. Because the existing pavement has failed, this is not a simple overlay project. The roadway must be removed down to the dirt, regraded, rebuilt with crushed gravel, and repaved.
Project Timeline
January 2026: Advertisement authorized by the grantor.
January 2026: Right-of-way discussions began with affected businesses and property owners.
February 20, 2026: Bid opening held.
March 2, 2026: Council Motion 2026-20 authorized award of the construction contract to R.L. Alia in the amount of $1,780,137, with a projected start date following utility relocation.
Spring 2026: Right-of-way procurement continued toward completion.
May 20, 2026: Custer Neighborhood Association meeting held. Project Manager JB Hur and PPW Director Jeff Rimack attended the inaugural association meeting to answer questions about the project.
June 22, 2026: Tacoma Public Utilities began relocating power lines.
Mid-July 2026: TPU relocation is estimated to be complete.
Week of July 20, 2026: Telecommunications companies are expected to begin relocation work.
August 12, 2026: Current anticipated construction start date.
September 30, 2026: Current anticipated construction completion date.
Design and right-of-way plans were developed.
December 6, 2023: Lakewood was awarded a $2,976,686 TIB grant for design, right-of-way, and construction.
May 2, 2022: Council approved a carryforward budget adjustment, including $65,000 in one-time general funds for topographic survey and 30% design.
July 2, 2018: Project added to the City’s Six-Year Comprehensive Transportation Improvement Program.
Construction Staging
During design in late 2025, the project team determined that Custer Road will need to be closed during construction.
This is necessary because the road must be fully reconstructed. Operating more than 50 vehicles per day on an unsurfaced roadway is not feasible while maintaining access to local businesses and properties.
The City reviewed the option of building the road in halves. That approach would extend construction duration and create more difficult access impacts. Each side of the road would lose access for approximately two months, with additional time needed to construct the middle section. In total, that approach would likely take 6 to 7 months and would be more vulnerable to weather delays.
Closing the roadway allows the project to be completed in approximately two months during the summer construction window. This same general approach was used successfully on the 112th Street SW project between Gravelly Lake Drive and Bridgeport Way earlier this year.
Traffic Control
Detour Route
During construction, the main detour for traffic will be routed via Bridgeport Way and 75th Street. The contractor will accommodate access to all businesses as much as possible throughout the project. As construction progresses, the Traffic Control Plan will be adjusted as needed to address changing conditions and maintain safe and efficient traffic flow.
Custer Business Highlights
Utility Relocation
Utility relocation is a key factor in the construction schedule. Existing power poles are located where the new roadway will be constructed. Unlike some other projects where utility poles are in the sidewalk area, the Custer Road poles must be moved before paving can occur.
This is important because telecommunications relocation delays have affected other projects after utility pole relocation. On Custer Road, that delay would directly affect the roadway reconstruction area and cannot occur once paving begins.
Tacoma Public Utilities began relocation work the week of June 22 and is expected to finish in mid-July. After that, four telecommunications companies must relocate their lines. Telecommunications relocation is expected to begin the week of July 20.
Before the City gives the contractor notice to proceed, the City needs reasonable assurance that the power poles and related utility conflicts will be cleared before paving begins.
If the construction start date is delayed, weather becomes a greater risk, and the overall construction timeline could be extended.
Project Budget and Grant Funding
The total project cost is estimated at approximately $2,740,000. Lakewood was awarded a $2,976,686 Transportation Improvement Board grant for the design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of Custer Road between Bridgeport Way and 75th Street.
The grant schedule is tight due to TIB budgeting and funding cycles. The grant agreement sets a 2026 construction completion date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The project schedule is based on several factors, such as roadway condition, utility relocation, construction sequencing, weather, detour route conditions, funding requirements, and contractor availability. Summer construction is required because the roadway needs a full rebuild and the detour route is vulnerable to weather-related deterioration.
The City considered phased construction, but analysis indicated it would extend the timeline from two months to six or seven months and increase access challenges and weather-related delays.
Delaying the project would postpone essential safety and accessibility improvements and increase risks due to worsening roadway conditions. Timely completion also relies on utility relocations and adherence to the approved funding schedule.
The roadway requires full removal and reconstruction down to the base. The City considered phased construction but found it would extend the project duration from about two months to six or seven months.
Phased construction would extend disruptions, restrict access to one side of the corridor for longer, increase weather-related risks, and likely extend the project to six or seven months.
The City reviewed concerns and project constraints, and determined that a delay would not improve the construction process or lessen overall disruption.
The project has been publicly programmed since 2018, design funding was approved in 2022, grant funding awarded in 2023, right-of-way discussions began in January 2026, and outreach has included property-owner coordination, recent updates, utility notifications, and public meetings. Based on feedback, the City continues to look at ways to keep neighborhoods and businesses informed during this process.
The City recognizes the concerns raised by businesses and is implementing a business continuity strategy that includes direct communication, customer access materials, public outreach, wayfinding, and ongoing coordination throughout construction.
The project corridor is a commercial area with numerous businesses and commercial properties located along Custer Road between Bridgeport Way and 75th Street. The City has been coordinating directly with affected property owners and has secured right-of-way agreements from property owners associated with multiple businesses within the project limits. Our focus is working with every affected business to maintain access and communication throughout construction. Highly impacted businesses include:
• 9999 Auto
• 7-Eleven
• Classy Chassis Car Wash
• Classy Chassis Detail
• Classy Chassis Oil Change
• Classic Coffee
• Tacoma Tire and Wheel
• Custer Road Veterinarian
• Kreative Kidz Inc.
• Car Lux
• Aqua Quip
• Meadows Apartments
Utility relocation is a critical-path activity. The City needs reasonable assurance that utility conflicts will be cleared before roadway reconstruction proceeds.
The roadway must be excavated and rebuilt from the ground up. Dry-weather construction significantly reduces risk to both the project and detour network.
The project replaces one of Lakewood’s worst arterial roadways and adds sidewalks, curbs, street lighting, storm drainage improvements, a new roadway surface, and a two-way left-turn lane that improves safety and business access.
Outreach Materials
All links below lead to a PDF document
Contact
Troy Pokswinski
P.E. City of Lakewood
253-983-7729
[email protected]