Drivers will enjoy a smoother ride on Sunset Boulevard North, or State Route 900, in Renton when a rehabilitation project is completed this summer.

Crews will begin closing lanes tonight (Tuesday) on a half-mile stretch of SR 900 between Bronson Way North and Sunset Boulevard Northeast as they prepare to repave the road, according to a state Department of Transportation press release.

“The pavement on this road is deteriorating,” said Project Engineer Hien Trinh “We’re going to grind out the old asphalt and then put down new pavement. Drivers will really notice the difference when we’re done.”

Tuesday night, contractor crews from Icon Materials kick off the work by starting to rebuild more than a half-dozen sidewalk ramps. Then on July 11, crews start grinding out the old asphalt. Grinding and paving work is unavoidably noisy. Crews will use noise shields, secure tailgates to avoid excessive banging and ambient backup alarms on their equipment to reduce construction noise.

Crews will work overnight to minimize disruption to local businesses and residents. Drivers may encounter nightly lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. There will also be several nights when the SR 900 on- and off-ramps at Interstate 405 are closed nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. No more than three nightly closures per ramp are planned. A detour will be available. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of August.