Residents of Maple Valley and commuters should notice some better road conditions on state Route 169 by late summner.

The state Department of Transportation signed off on a $1.2 million contract with Lakeside Industries, Inc. from Issaquah to do repaving and repair work. The road work is scheduled to begin in April.

The area of the road to be worked on is between S.E. 264th Street and Witte Road. The work involves repairing 54 cracked concrete panels and repaving 1.6 miles of the highway.

According to a department press release, the project will provide 12 jobs.

“We worked closely with the community to plan this project,” said department project engineer Aleta Borschowa. “Repaving and repairing this important local route will make it safer and easier for residents and freight haulers to use the corridor.”

The release stated “drivers can expect alternating traffic through the work zone on weeknights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.” Construction should completed by late summer.

More information about the project can be found at the departments Web site, www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr169/264towitteroad/.

The department release stated work continues on the Green River Bridge “long-term repair project.” The department closed the bridge in November 2008 after heavy rainstorms caused an ancient landslide to shift and weaken the piers supportiing the bridge.

Crews began repairs in December and expect to finish up work in July.

More information can be found at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr169/greenriverrepair/.

Drivers can stay informed of nightly closures and route changes at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/King/Construction/.