Alder Avenue to get a repair

Alder Avenue, once thought to be beyond repair and thus not qualified for government grants, will soon get a major fix, thanks to the work of two state representatives, announced Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick recently.

The state of Washington has approved a $500,000 grant to repair Alder Avenue between 5th and 8th Streets.

The money was approved for street repair in May, but getting it to Alder Avenue required some work.

Transportation Board grants are only available for streets that aren’t too far gone. And as recently as last year, the Washington Transportation Improvement Board considered Alder Avenue, as well as 10th, 6th and 2nd streets, beyond repair.

But state representatives Kirk Pearson and Dan Kristiansen worked to reclassify the road.

“We are very grateful to state representatives Kirk Pearson and Dan Kristiansen for all their support securing this much-needed funding for Sultan,” commented Eslick.

In addition, the city has received another $30,516 grant to build a sidewalk along Alder between 7th and 8th Streets. The funds will be combined to allow both projects to be completed at the same time.

“This is great news. I’ve watched the city workers patch and re-patch that road for years; it will be great to have a new road soon,” said Rocky Walker, Alder Avenue resident and homeowner. “Building the sidewalk is a tremendous safety benefit that will keep the school kids and citizens from walking in the roadway.”

Alder is also an important transportation road, as Snohomish County Community Transit and the school district buses use the avenue.