Pacific Avenue in Spanaway, ever since the sidewalks were put in, has had some issues that have not been addressed. So a few months ago, the 723 Networking group (made up of local business people) was discussing the sloppy appearance of their grassy swales with the tall grass and noxious weeds. One Sheriff deputy even complained about the limited site distance caused by the tall weeds. So we at the Post took on the story with photos here.

Tuesday, a yellow WSDOT truck was seen on the Ave. with a brush cutter trimming many of those swales. Granted, it was a brush cutter, not a landscaping service. The job looks fairly sloppy, but there is better sight distance for cars entering the highway. There are also less weeds, but probably more seed spread for next year’s crop.

The Pierce Prairie Post also took on another SR7 topic, that of the ditch outside the  Post Office, the Spanaway Post Office hole. The curb in front of that ditch that separates the Post Office and Les Schwab is scarred from the number of cars that have hit it. many ended up in the deep puddle. The curb inside the Post Office has broken and none is  even surrounding the tree at the entrance. The ditch doesn’t drain, it merely evaporates in the hot part of summer, so much for being a “drainage system.”

Today, there was a utility line locator at the Spanaway Post Office. He marked the utilities from the ditch to the utility vault in front of the Post Office. There were lines all around the ditch. When questioned he said he didn’t know what was being done other than WSDOT had a project having to do with the ditch. (Insert cheers here.) It is tempting to want to think that having a newspaper writing about these things and sending links to WSDOT might have had an influence. Well, we hope so!

On a note beyond WSDOT, the new 22nd Avenue traffic signals at 176th Street are in place now. Most of the asphalt is also in place. The Post is awaiting a return call from the County project engineer to know when the stripes will be done and the signals turned on. It will certainly be soon.  It’s the very last intersection to be improved. It needed to be the first, like 20 years ago. Better late than never.

Now about the Cross Base Highway….  704, 704, 704…