The Town of Friday Harbor will be the recipient of $800,000 of a state transportation improvement grant for the reconstruction of the first phase of Tucker Avenue.

A major arterial at the north side of town, Tucker Avenue is one the highest-ranked road projects on the town six-year transportation improvement plan.

Awarded to the town last week by the state Transportation Improvement Board, the grant will pay for nearly 80 percent of the road improvement project’s first phase, and it marks the third time in the past three years Friday Harbor is the recipient of state road improvement funds.

“This is very exciting news” Mayor Carrie Lacher said. “To receive such a significant grant three years in a row is a wonderful vote of confidence from the TIB. I really appreciate the hard work of our staff and engineers in making this happen.”

The town previously was awarded grants in 2012 and 2013 that funded more than 80 percent of the Blair Avenue project and the Mullis sidewalk project.

Phase I of the project calls for a series of improvements beginning at the intersection of Guard Street and ending by Harbor Avenue, just past the town wastewater treatment plant, at a cost of $1.1 million, $800,000 of which would come from the state grant.

The town anticipates paying the balance from revenue generated by the .02 percent increase in the town sales tax approved by voters Nov. 4, which is expected to generate about $240,000 a year and is dedicated exclusively for road improvement projects.