SDOT crews will begin the first phase of rebuilding 23rd Avenue between S Jackson and E John streets in April. This project will improve safety and mobility for everyone who drives, walks, bikes and takes transit in the Central Area.
Tonight, SDOT will share info about what to expect during construction with community members, business owners and commuters at an open house at Garfield High School. Check out the info for yourself by visiting our online open house!
Phase 1 Construction on 23 Avenue
What’s the project?
SDOT will rebuild this stretch of 23rd Avenue from four narrow lanes to three wider lanes, resulting in one lane in each direction, plus a center turn lane. The project also includes widening and repairing sidewalks, improving transit speed and reliability, replacing the 100-year-old water main under the roadway, and installing new street lights and public art. While a bike lane will not be included on 23rd Avenue, SDOT is currently installing the Central Area Neighborhood Greenway on residential streets adjacent to 23rd Avenue as a calmer route for people walking or riding bikes.
This project design resulted from nearly two years of traffic analysis, engineering, and community outreach. The improvements are designed to reduce collisions in accordance with the city’s Vision Zero campaign to end traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030.
What can the public expect during construction?
The entire project will be divided into three work zones to minimize impacts on businesses, residents and the travelling public. Crews will start work in the work zone between E Cherry Street and S Jackson Street – see map at right. Major construction for all three work zones is expected to be complete by late 2016.
During construction, local residents and commuters can expect delays while construction is active in a given work zone. Due to the narrow width of the street, crews will close northbound 23rd Avenue to all traffic with detours to Martin Luther King Jr Way. Other traffic impacts include reduced lanes for southbound traffic, nighttime and weekend closures of major intersections, short-term pedestrian detours, short-term water service interruptions, and Metro bus detours.
Visit the project Web page http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/23rd_ave.htm.
Attend the online open house http://sdot23rdave.publicmeeting.info/
Questions? Call the project hotline – 206-727-8857 Email – 23rdAveCorridor@seattle.gov