Neighborhood Street Fund Project on 33rd Avenue NE.

The 2012 Bridging the Gap (BTG) Annual Report is now complete and available on-line.  2012 was the sixth year of the levy program and was once again a successful year for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).   You can view the report on-line here.

Bridging the Gap is a nine-year, $365 million levy that addresses twenty years of deferred maintenance caused by chronic under-funding of the transportation infrastructure. Approved by voters in 2006, BTG enables much-needed work by the Seattle Department of Transportation, such as roadway paving, sidewalk development and repair, bridge upkeep, and tree pruning and planting. It also supports the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans, the Safe Routes to School program, enhanced transit connections and large Neighborhood Street Fund projects.The Bridging the Gap work is supported by an appointed citizens’ Levy Oversight Committee that meets quarterly. This 15-member body monitors revenues and expenditures, and reviews program and project schedules to provide full accountability to voters on BTG activities.  A list of committee members can be viewed on their webpage.   

Visit the Bridging the Gap web page to view the 2011 Annual Report.

This week, crews will continue to work on underground utilities on Valley Street, Broad Street, Ninth Avenue North and Westlake Avenue North, north of Mercer Street. Crews are also continuing construction on the north side of Mercer Street between Fifth Avenue North and Dexter Avenue North and the east side of SR 99 between Valley Street and Harrison Street.

 Activities this week include: Read more »

Neighborhood greenways are in high demand and right now SDOT is implementing the fifth one in Seattle. Located in the North Delridge Neighborhood we are making it safer and more comfortable for people of all ages and abilities to walk and ride a bike along 26^th Avenue SW.  In a neighborhood known for a just-get-it-done attitude, staff worked with the North Delridge Neighborhood Council to figure out what improvements should be made.

Bike riders on 26th Avenue SW which is being enhanced to become a greenway.

Already 13 speed humps have been constructed along a 1.5 mile stretch, pavement repairs made and 20 mph signs installed. Speed humps help keep traffic speeds low and are built with gentle slopes so it is easy for bike riders to move over them. Over the next few months, ADA ramps are being constructed;two radar speed feedback signs placed near the Delridge Playfield and Skate Park; crosswalk marked at SW Genesee and a raised crosswalk installed at SW Andover Street. Complementing the raised crosswalk, in 2014 SDOT will widen the sidewalk on Delridge Way SW that connects Andover to the West Seattle Bridge Trail.  

Neighborhood greenway amenities can be especially beneficial for families, children and seniors who might find these routes more comfortable than busier nearby streets like Delridge Way SW. Local access to homes along neighborhood greenways is always preserved and there are usually minimal, if any changes to on-street parking.Next, SDOT is holding a community meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9 at the Highland Park Improvement Club, 1116 SW Holden to consider possible neighborhood greenway routes on the east side of Delridge Way SW. More details will be available soon.

We look forward to traveling the “green way” with you.

Linden Avenue North between North 128th and North 145th streets is a fabulous new version of itself – awaiting a unique artwork installation in early July to call the “Complete Street” a completed project. Part of the newly neighborhood friendly Linden Corridor is the City’s first urban cycle track - modeled after designs in Vancouver, British Columbia. The two-way cycle track on the eastern side of the street features green boxes at intersections and driveways to raise awareness of bicycle travelers.

The special green thermal-plastic pavement treatment is much longer lasting than standard road paint, making it a good safety investment.

Another safety measure along the cycle track is a special bicycle signal at North 130th Street. The bicycle signal turns green prior to the vehicle signal; this allows the cyclist to enter the intersection so that right-turning vehicles see the cyclist before making a right-hand turn (a common bicycle/vehicle risk). In addition, southbound vehicles have their own left-turn phase, during which time the bicycle signal is red.Other new sites along the corridor include some temporary educational signs, telling bicyclists how to use the bicycle track, among other things. The goal of the educational signs along the side of the cycle track, as well as area posters and flyers throughout the neighborhood, is to make the new 2-way cycle track configuration something travelers are aware of and understand. 

One other thing to be aware of, a private development at the intersection of Linden Ave North & North 141st Street will temporarily block a portion of the cycle track until early August. That said, the project team is still planning a big Linden Complete Street Celebration July 13, 10 a.m. to noon! Look for details soon…

Westlake Avenue grading took place for the
Mercer Corridor project.

This week, crews will continue to work on underground utilities on Valley Street, Broad Street, Ninth Avenue North and Westlake Avenue North, north of Mercer Street. Crews are also continuing construction on the north side of Mercer Street between Fifth Avenue North and Dexter Avenue North and the east side of SR 99 between Valley Street and Harrison Street. Activities this week included: Read more »

When you’re walking about in Pioneer Square or the International District, you might enjoy stopping by to see the newly restored, historical King Street Station at Fourth Avenue South and South Jackson Street, now that the outdoor stairs and the passenger-waiting area are fully open. Here are some photos taken one evening this week to give you an idea.

The vintage clock tower of the station, built in 1906, contrasts in an interesting way with the super-modern building in the background, drawing attention to the different eras that the each building represents.

The lower level of the station is on King Street. The area seen here (below), looking down from Jackson Street, is the entrance for Amtrak passenger ticket and waiting areas. The rail tracks are on the other (eastern) side of the station, under Fourth Avenue South and South Jackson Street, where the trains enter a mile-long tunnel to pass under Seattle’s central business district. The station also serves  Sound Transit’s  Sounder commuter rail.

 
To get to the lower level of the station from Jackson Street, you can cross the new plaza in front of the station and use the recently reopened stairs under the canopy. This photo is taken from the top of the stairs looking back towards Jackson Street.

Here are the stairs that will take you from the Jackson Street plaza to the passenger ticket and waiting areas.

  
The passenger waiting area (below) was quiet during this visit, and looking quite lovely. The decorative, molded plaster ceiling had been covered in 1963 with a suspended, false ceiling. During the recently completed restoration, the original ceiling was uncovered and restored, and original lights replaced.

The plaster decorations on the walls and ceiling, the marble wall panels, and the terrazzo and decorative glass-mosaic tile floor are some of the details that create an elegant interior.

And here (below) at the top of the photo you can see the balcony overlooking the passenger waiting room.
 
The station is a perfect place to begin a fabulous trip. In the center of the room there is a sign showing passengers where to line up for the “Coast Starlight” train, one arrow pointing towards “sleeping” and another indicating “coach.” The Amtrak website says:

“En route daily between Los Angeles and Seattle, the Coast Starlight train passes through the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Barbara, Sacramento and Portland. Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, the Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the West Coast.”

All aboard!

Come and participate in this interactive update on Alaskan Way design and options for waterfront transit on Wednesday, June 26 at 5:30 pm.

The project team will be sharing street design and local waterfront transit updates for community feedback.

Meeting details:

Street + Transit Update
Wednesday, June 26
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Washington State Convention Center
800 Convention Place, Room 3A

Event is free and open to the public.

Click here to RSVP: https://el2.envirolytical.com/registration/form/9917
 

Questions or comments?
info@waterfrontseattle.org
206.499.8040
http://waterfrontseattle.org/

HOSTED BY: City of Seattle’s Departments of Transportation, Planning & Development, and Parks & Recreation
 
For special accommodations, including interpretation, please contact info@waterfrontseattle.org or 206.499.8040.
 
Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may make a request for alternative formats through the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1.

The Bridging the Gap (BTG) Levy Oversight Committee has begun their final review of projects submitted through the Neighborhood Street Fund (NSF) Large Project program.  Funding for the program comes from the nine-year BTG transportation levy adopted by Seattle voters in 2006.  The levy provides $4.5M every three years to select, design and construct larger neighborhood projects identified by the community.

Completed NSF project from 2012 located at Fairview Ave N and Fairview Place N.

Applications for the third and final round of funding for the NSF projects closed in December with more than 86 possible projects submitted from neighborhoods all across the city.  Each District Council reviewed projects from their districts and forwarded their top three to the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) for further refinement of the projects. Over the past few months SDOT staff has worked with the project applicants to ensure that their projects meet construction and design standards.  In the end, 38 projects will be reviewed. The types of projects submitted ranged from new sidewalks, bike lanes and crossing improvements, to lighting and signal improvements.  It is anticipated that 5-7 projects will receive funding.

During the months of June and July, the BTG Levy Oversight Committee will review and rank each project and will make their final recommendations to the Mayor and City Council at their next meeting on August 5.  They meet from 6 – 8 p.m., in the Boards and Commissions Room (L-230) at Seattle City Hall.  Their meetings are open to the public. 

If you would like more information on the projects that have been submitted, please visit here and click on each District for the individual project pages. 

To learn more about BTG, please visit this web page.

This week, crews will continue to work on underground utilities on Valley Street, Broad Street, Ninth Avenue North and Westlake Avenue North, north of Mercer Street. Crews are also continuing construction on the north side of Mercer Street between Fifth Avenue North and Dexter Avenue North and the east side of SR 99 between Valley Street and Harrison Street.

Activities this week include: Read more »

Thanks to everyone who has registered for the 2013 Walk Bike Ride Challenge. If you haven’t already, there is still time. We love watching the numbers of participants grow and reading your creative team names.  The Challenge officially launches June 15 but already you can use our web site to connect with fellow Challengers, share tips and get motivated.

When you sign up, you’ll notice our sleek new and engaging site.  This year we’ve partnered with Luum, a Seattle-based social enterprise that mobilizes communities to create social impact. They use online challenges to stimulate friendly competition.  The Luum platform  helps motivate you and track how the group is progressing toward the goal of reducing 10,000 car trips.  So not only does our site look cooler, it also has some great features:

• Create a Team: You are encouraged (but not required!) to create a team with friends, family, co-workers, anyone else you want to invite, and see which group can log the most trips during the Challenge.  Friendly neighborhood competitions, anyone? 
• Connect with Facebook: Although signing up and logging into Luum with Facebook is not a requirement, you may find that it enhances the experience. It makes it easy to invite friends to accept the challenge and share what you’re what doing with Facebook friends—always initiated by you, never by us!
• Track Your Impact: Luum shows both your impact in the challenge as well as the combined impact of all the people you brought into the challenge. So if you invited four friends to join you in the Walk Bike Ride Challenge, we’ll be able to show your total impact (miles, trips, gas saved) in addition to the impact of your friends.

Those are just a few of the great options, but you can also share photos, tips, and more!  So check it out, and then let us know what’s YOUR favorite feature.         

Contact us:
waytogo@seattle.gov
206-615-1550