MARYSVILLE, Wash. (NNS) - The city of Marysville, Wash. dedicated a new boulevard to the Naval Station Everett-homeported, guided-missile frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61) during a ceremony Oct. 26.

More than 75 elected officials, school district officials, USS Ingraham Sailors and their families celebrated the completion of Ingraham Boulevard, named after the city's adopted ship.

"Today we are here to dedicate the Ingraham Boulevard Corridor Improvement Project from 67th to 83rd Avenue NE," said Jon Nehring, mayor of Marysville. "It's hard to believe just nine months ago, we were breaking ground on this vital transportation project, and now we are here again celebrating its completion."

The new roadway, Ingraham Boulevard, provides a full, four-lane extension of 88th Street NE from 67th Avenue through the Grace Creek Basin east of 74th Drive.

The 1.2 mile Ingraham Boulevard project features "Green Technology" high efficiency, cost effective roadway illumination LED fixtures, sidewalks built on pervious concrete used in low-impact development, bike lanes, curbs and gutters, a system to channel, treat and detain storm water, realignment of Grace Creek, a fish passage culvert, wetland rehabilitation and enhancements including installation of 14,000 plants.

It also improves public safety for both motorists and pedestrians and reduces traffic congestion and provides a continuous east-west corridor between I-5 and SR 9, offering residents a much easier commute and allowing for a safer route specific to newly-opened Marysville Getchell High School, its students, parents, teachers and administrators.

"We are a big supporter of education," said Cmdr. Adam Welter, USS Ingraham commanding officer. "And so it is a great honor for me and the crew that the boulevard was named after the Ingraham."

The project was funded $2.2 million through Marysville's Growth Management Street Fund. A grant of $982,737 was provided by the State Transportation Improvement Board.

The city adopted USS Ingrham through the Navy's adopt-a-ship program in April 1999.

For more news from USS Ingraham, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/ffg61/.