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City crews are gearing up to start construction of the southbound Elliott Avenue West left-turn improvement this week. The work will last three to six weeks, depending on weather conditions. The existing left-turn lane is 225 feet in length, and SDOT crews will be extending it to 350 feet. To minimize the impacts to traffic and people that live, work or shop in the area, construction will only occur on weekdays, between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Please note that, while a lane or two may be closed during the daytime, there will not be any restrictions on turns or through traffic while construction is occurring. Access to businesses will also be maintained during this work.
The extension of the left-turn lanes was one of five Alternatives studied for West Mercer Place and this project was one that had both broad support as well as a minimal price tag. The traffic analysis indicated that lengthening the left-turn lanes will reduce delays at the intersection. It also provides benefits with or without any of the other changes considered on West Mercer Place.
At this time, we are not pursuing any of the other Alternatives on West Mercer Place, but will enhance the pedestrian crossing on West Mercer Street at Fourth or Fifth Avenue West. We will reevaluate West Mercer Place after all of the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement work has been completed in 2018 to see if further work is needed.
For more information, visit the Mercer West project’s webpage at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/mercer_west.htm