A $50 million public-private partnership road project that began with a groundbreaking in June 1998 will culminate today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the final section of Lake Tapps Parkway East. The 1-mile segment extends from the Lakeland Hills development to 182nd Avenue East, near the northwest corner of Lake Tapps.

Officials of Pierce County and Auburn will join with contractors and interested citizens in dedicating and officially opening the new section at 10 a.m. near the intersection of 182nd Avenue and 9th Street East.

Participants include Pierce County Executive John W. Ladenburg and Council Chair Shawn Bunney, Auburn City Councilmember Richard Wagner, state Transportation Improvement Board Director Steven Gorcester and Pierce County Public Works and Utilities Director Brian Ziegler.

The $6.1 million extension project was funded with the assistance of a $1.1 million TIB grant. The remainder was covered with local funding. As with previous Parkway segments, the project featured a public private partnership involving not only the state and county but also the private sector, Prium Development in this instance.

The project’s completion provides a direct connection between the Lake Tapps community and SR 167 (Valley Freeway). Previously, commuters and other motorists were faced with taking circuitous and congested routes through surrounding communities.