A city of Bothell road project that aims to solve some problems related to snow and ice has been delayed due to recent snow storms.

On Jan. 30, the city issued a press release noting that “drivers should plan for delays” on 228th Street Southeast for a short-term construction project, which intended to deal with groundwater and rain that has been “puddling” and freezing in the center of 228th Street Southeast, just east of 15th Avenue Southeast in Canyon Park.

Weather permitting, the work requiring traffic impacts from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays was supposed to be done by Feb. 8. The mayor has signed a local proclamation of emergency that allowed staff to hire a contractor quickly, which the Bothell City Council ratified at its Feb. 5 meeting.

Work began on Jan. 31, but construction was delayed due to inclement weather and conditions, and was set to resume Feb. 11. The project has since moved back to Feb. 18, said Barbara Ramey, the city’s communications officer.

The project includes installing two catch basins and a French drain to collect the water into the storm drain system. A long-term future project will rebuild 228th Street Southeast and deal with the settling of the road, which may include a more robust drainage system if needed.

In the meantime, when temperatures dip below freezing, crews are taking steps to deal with and prevent icing at 228th Street Southeast. They apply de-icer before freezing temperatures are forecast, and since groundwater washes away the de-icer, they also apply sand and salt after ice forms.

The city posted “watch for ice” signs, which were moved to the sidewalk to minimize impacts to bicyclists. The city has asked drivers to use extra caution in the area when temperatures dip and to slow down and use extra caution in construction zones.

See www.bothellwa.gov for more.

A construction project intended to deal with groundwater and rain that has been “puddling” and freezing in the center of 228th Avenue Southeast, just east of 15th Avenue Southeast, has been delayed. Image courtesy of the city of Bothell