By Josh Magill

 Western stretch of 176^th Street road construction to begin

 Be prepared to stop or plan an alternate route this fall announced Pierce County’s Department of Public Works and Utilities this week regarding their latest effort to widen a stretch of 176th Street, this time between Waller Road and 14th Avenue.

“Plan for potential delays and drive slowly through the work zone,” advised Gregory Hess, a Pierce County Engineering Supervisor.

Utility companies will begin moving their facilities this fall in preparation for the road construction that is anticipated to be complete by the fall of 2013.  Frederickson and Spanaway residents experienced a glimpse of what is to come recently when the contractor, Tucci and Sons Inc., began preparing the site by bringing down trees along the roadside.

 “They are clearing the site and constructing the storm water pond,” says Hess.  “They are preparing to make the new roadway excavations and fills outside of the existing roadway, build the retaining walls and start the enclosed drainage system.”

This section will be widened to four lanes similar to past expansions of 176th St, and will include paved shoulders, a raised median, sidewalks and U-turn or left turn lanes at designated locations.

 Currently, the segment of road from Waller Road heading west consists of two lanes, with left-turn lanes at 14th Ave, 22nd Ave and 28th Ave.

During construction the work will be segmented, with at least one lane of traffic open in each direction.  The construction phasing will to be similar to the past sections completed on 176th from Waller Road to Meridian Ave. 

 One special feature will include a single weekend road closure of the intersection at 176th St and 22nd Ave to allow the contractor to widen, re-grade and pave the entire intersection at once.  Dates for the weekend road closure have not yet been determined,  but detour routes during the road closure will be posted and the public notified in advance. 

In his monthly newsletter to the public, Pierce County Councilmember for District 3, Roger Bush, stated, “The overall goal is to have a widened east-west corridor that connects two major state highways for easy access in and out of Frederickson and its industrial port.  This will obviously benefit both commerce and commuters.”

Pierce County is also working to secure construction funding for the last segment of 176th Street expansion project from B Street to 14th Ave.

 Cruz-In Car Show delights

 Cool cars and smiles just seem to go together and the 4^th Annual Cruz-In Car Show did not disappoint.  Nearly 70 entries to the car show brightened up the lower grass area just west of the playground at Sound Life Church in Frederickson on Saturday, August 4^th.

Festivities included booths managed by Sabeti Motors, Heritage Insurance, and the Frederickson Clover Creek Community Council.  The booths offered games or raffles with candy or miniature cars for prizes.  In addition, good music spread across the field, lifting the spirits of those in attendance.

“The purpose of the car show at Sound Life Church is to provide a casual and fun family atmosphere on our campus to meet new friends,” says Pail Aiken, chairman of the organizing committee.  “With so many beautiful acres of fields and fir trees, it is the perfect venue for all people in the Puget Sound area to come together to enjoy the great northwest summertime.  What better way to do that than with a car show, food, oldies and lots of prizes?”

The major prizes where plaques given to the car show entrants themselves for ten specific categories.  

The Pastors Award went to Bob & Joan Gumm for their 1920 Studebaker Touring Car they dubbed “The Grey Lady.”

Other awards were:

FCCCC Award – Jim Rose, 1935 Chevy Deluxe Coupe

Law Enforcement Award – Pastor David & Estella Ortega, 1967 Chevy Impala

Fire Service Award – Lloyd & Marilyn Norton, 1940 Chevy Business Coupe

Armed Forces Award – Norm & Cathy Covey, 1967 Chevy Impala

Hot Convertible Award – John Metzger, 1923 Ford Roadster Convertible

Hot Rod Award – Doug and Linda Coles, 1933 Dodge Coupe

Muscle Car Award – Rodger Henningsten, 1967 Ford Shelby GT

Sunday Drive Award – Carolyn Baker, 1957 Chevy Corvette

One Tough Truck Award – Dan Trebken, 1935 Chevy Roadster

“That red one over there is mine,” said FCCCC Secretary, John Marshall, pointing to a 1955 Chevy Nomad.  “This really is a fun event.”

That sentiment was proven further when those that did not garner an honor walked away from the awards ceremony with smiles on their faces and dancing to the music.  Then after a few hours of fun and showing off wonderfully exciting cars, engines roared to life and an antique procession began leaving the field moving toward 176^th Street.

“Next year our show will be a combined effort with the Clover Creek Community Council during Frederickson’s annual Freddie Fest.  So save the date of August 3, 2013,” Aiken reminded.

Family Movie Night:

The abovementioned Sound Life Church, located at 176^th Street E and 36^th Ave E, will be the site of the second outdoor movie night of the summer hosted by the Frederickson-Clover Creek Community Council on August 24^th.  The movie will be The Wizard of Oz, and the movie will start at dusk.  Events including pony rides, face painting, a bounce house and a playground will open at 6pm.  Concessions will be provided again by Arturo.  All are welcome to this free event.

 ©  Josh Magill  2012