Puyallup Announces Shaw Road Open House

PUYALLUP, WA — The City of Puyallup says it's time to make some changes along Shaw Road, but it wants to present those changes to the public before it commits to anything drastic.

In particular, city leaders say Shaw Road needs some reworking between 12th Ave SE and 23rd St SE.

Ideally, city organizers say they'd like the changes to ease traffic congestion and increase side street access, but they're also looking at investments in bicycle and pedestrian facilities to make the roadway more accessible to everyone.

“Shaw Road, as many of our residents know, is an important connector route between Puyallup and Pierce County,” said City Engineer Hans Hunger. “As such, it is equally important that we consider all of the options. We want to make sure that whatever option we go with, that it accommodates our citizens and considers future growth and development. It also needs to continue to expand infrastructure for non-motorized movement.”

Previous analysis of Shaw Road recommended widening the road, adding new outside lanes and a center turn lane, as well as a west side sidewalk and an east side shared use pathway— all of which may still be under consideration.

Puyallup has already hired a consultant, KPG, to research potential fixes and present Preliminary Design Drawings which the city wants to share with the public before they pull the trigger on any construction orders.

To get a first glimpse at the changes, residents are invited to attend an online open house on December 9, 2021 at 5:30 pm. The open house will be accessible via Facebook Live and Zoom. To participate via zoom residents will need to email epuyallup@puyallupwa.gov before 4 p.m. on the 9th to register. Otherwise, the meeting will be broadcast at Facebook.com/PuyallupCity. The city says the broadcast will discuss the project's background, provide an update on their safety studies, and explain some of the proposed development plans. Attendees will also be encouraged to weigh in and ask questions of their own, which the city says will be used as they work on the project going forward.