New Podcasts Now Online!

SDOT is taking the month of January to ask folks to replace one car trip a week with a walking or biking trip.  It can be as short as a close-by walk to the neighborhood library, or as long as a bicycle commute downtown.  It’s an easy way to have a positive impact on traffic congestion and air quality – not to mention working off some of that holiday cheer.

The SDOT Blog has supported this effort by providing resources and motivational testimonials from your neighbors that have taken the challenge.  And now SDOT staff share their thoughts on how to walk or bike more often in a three part podcast.  Listen as SDOT super stars Barbara and Heather talk about their resolve to walk and bike more and be healthy in 2012.  Enjoy!

With the recent snow and ice storm, we thought it would be a good idea to share a friendly reminder that we all need to keep our sidewalks clear. 

If you have a sidewalk in front of your property, it’s your responsibility to remove snow and ice so it doesn’t pose a hazard for people using the sidewalk.   This rule applies to removing other things from the sidewalk too, like leaves and branches, as well as maintaining the planting strip.

It keeps the sidewalk safe, it looks better and it’s certainly the neighborly thing to do.  

Plus it’s the law. 

Some might think that it’s the City’s responsibility to keep the sidewalks clear since sidewalks are part of the public right-of-way, like streets.   But this isn’t the case. 

Let’s get just a bit wonky for a moment… When a property is developed, part of the property is dedicated as public right-of-way for streets, sidewalks, planting strips, utilities and other things which benefit everyone in the community.  However, the responsibility to maintain the sidewalk area stays with the property owner. 

It’s also the responsibility of property owners to repair their sidewalks when they are damaged.  

More info on these rules is available for residents and business owners.  Also check out yesterday’s blog post about overgrown vegetation and sidewalks.

So, now you’re in the know in case of more snow!  Thanks for doing your part, neighbor.

Crews working on the electrical duct bank on Westlake Avenue N.

The infamous “Mercer Mess” is shrinking and the new Mercer Street is taking shape.  Staying right on schedule, despite the need to keep traffic flowing in the construction zone,  the Mercer Corridor Project will reach a major milestone in January.  If you drive the corridor eastbound to take the Mercer Street ramps to I-5, you have probably noticed on the left, the new, future westbound lanes of Mercer Street forming on the north side of the existing Mercer Street between Fairview Avenue and Terry Avenue,  and at Ninth Avenue.  

The project team is currently working hard to complete the remaining underground utility work along the north side of Mercer Street at Westlake Avenue in order to complete the final paving and sidewalks along the stretch of Mercer between 9th Avenue and Terry Avenue.  Underground utility work in Westlake includes undergrounding of electrical distribution, transmission and communications lines, storm drainage, and water line replacement.  This work has been particularly challenging given that crews are installing some of these underground facilities underneath the Seattle Streetcar tracks.  All of this work is in preparation for the big “Mercer switch”, which is when eastbound Mercer Street traffic will switch to the new lanes on the north and we’ll close down the south side of the street in order to begin utility installation and reconstruction of existing Mercer Street. 

If all goes as planned, the switch is expected to happen on the weekend of January 6 – January 9.  Closure hours will start Friday at 11:00 p.m. and extend through the weekend to Monday at 5:00 a.m.  We will keep you informed as more details become available.

For more information about project – the purpose, benefits, and other information, visit our website at:  www.seattle.gov/Transportation/ppmp_mercer.htm

As part of the Center City Holiday Pedestrian Safety Campaign, on Saturday, December 10, SDOT joined forces with the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) and Feet First to remind drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to take it slow and pay attention. Peter Hahn, SDOT Director, Kate Joncas, DSA President and CEO, and, Ross Bentley race car driver and author, gave brief presentations after a crosswalk action.

A group of people, including police, the Metropolitan Improvement District, volunteers and the Feet First chicken participated in the crosswalk action. The walkers were highly visible in bright color vests; some held crosswalk flags and others carried signs with the safely campaign slogan and some saying “Slow Down”, “Watch Out For Me”, among others.

Walkers holding signs waiting patiently to cross the street (photo courtesy of Feet First)

The chicken crossed the road safely! (photo courtesy of Feet First)

Well, if you are asking yourself “What can I do?” here are a few things to consider:

Practice Safe Behavior

Oh the weather outside is frightful, ‘
But Downtown Seattle’s so delightful,
With so many nice places to go,
Take it slow! Take it slow! Take it slow!

Know the rules of the road. Together we can make this a safe Seattle season.

Take the Safety Pledge – If you are shopping at Pacific Place or in Pioneer Square, visit participating stores and take our safety pledge to cross safely at identified crosswalks, watch for cars when walking and take extra precautions when driving, biking and walking. If you take the pledge you’ll be entered to win a $500 gift certificate. Read the contest rules.

Visit SDOT’s Holiday Pedestrian Safety Campaign site for tips for driving, walking and biking safely during the busy holiday season (and beyond!).  See you in the crosswalk!

Original ornate ceiling will be restored with this next phase work.

This past month, the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration signed a $16.7 million agreement in federal high-speed-rail funds to continue the next phase of restoration work on Seattle’s grand old King Street Station.

The dollars will fund the strengthening of the King Street Station and the clock tower to better withstand earthquakes, in addition to restoration of the historical features of the station’s main hall, and upgrading electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems to modern standards.  In returning the main hall to its original grandeur, the original ornamental plaster ceiling and walls, and historic windows will be restored; these elements had been removed or covered up more than 50 years ago during what was then considered to be a “modernization” of the station.  This work, which will create 100 jobs over a two-year period, is expected to start early next year, 2012.

Since 2008, the Seattle Department of Transportation has made nearly $30 million worth of restoration and improvements on this historic gem.   The federal, state and local funding covered replacing the station’s roof with historical accurate terra-cotta tiles, repairing the four tower clocks to working order and creating a pedestrian-friendly Jackson Street Plaza. 

More information about the restoration project is available on the King Street Station web site .

Access Road Area - AFTER

Access Road Area - BEFORE

Opening last Saturday with a ribbon cutting and community event led by Mayor Mike McGinn and Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith, this new segment of trail is writing a new chapter in the life of the East Duwamish Greenbelt. 

The cutting of the ribbon October 29, 2011 was a joint effort by the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust Executive Director Cynthia Welti; Beacon Alliance of Neighbors Representative Craig Thompson; SDOT Project Manager Terry Plumb; and Mayor Mike McGinn. 

Following the snip of that appropriately “green” ribbon, Mayor McGinn led a tour of the new multi-use Beacon Hill trail that extends from Jose Rizal Bridge west along the south side of I-90 and south along I-5 to the South Holgate Bridge.  The Washington Department of Transportation designed the trail with oversight from SDOT and also managed the construction contractor.  All who participated in the trail tour got a first-hand look at some of the amazing “after” views.  Of course, they are even more compelling when compared to the “before” shots, such as the photos from under the Jose Rizal Bridge, shown directly below.

As mentioned earlier, the before and after pictures are startling, in a good way, showing the effectiveness of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.  These include natural surveillance allowing people to see and be seen.  To that point, this is the first City of Seattle trail to utilize street lights; placed every 160-feet or so, they illuminate the entire area.  Add to that open fencing and landscaping and this urban forest becomes an accessible and usable neighborhood greenspace.  Features of the new ¾ mile of trail include: 

• 12 feet wide paved and level surface for walking, biking, and running

• Fencing along both sides of the trail (fencing to be completed now that configuration for 4.1 acre off-leash area is finalized)

Approaching Bridge - BEFORE

Approaching Bridge - AFTER

Before and after photos to the left show the trail area near the Holgate entrance – yet another stunning comparison of how access is greatly improved.

The purpose of this project was to extend the multi-use trail to connect with transit, other trails, and Seattle communities.  It is also part of the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan.  The majority of funding ($1.8 million) for this $2.58 million project came from the City’s eight-year Pro Parks Levy, which passed in 2000.  WSDOT also provided funds during design.  Then an $810,000 federal grant through the Puget Sound Regional Council made up the remaining difference, allowing construction to move forward.

The Mountains to Sound Trail is part of the larger Mountains to Sound Greenway effort that has helped create 100 miles of trail along I-90 from Central Washington to Seattle.  

Thank you WSDOT for the majority of the photos!

Happy Trails…

Construction of the Mountains-to-Sound Trail from the southwest end of the Jose Rizal bridge south along I-5 to Holgate is substantially complete!!!  The grand opening is scheduled for this Saturday, October 29.   Join Mayor Mike McGinn, Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith and a host of partners for the ribbon cutting and community event to celebrate this new trail through Beacon Hill! 

What: Ribbon Cutting & Community Event

When: Saturday, October 29 at 2:30 p.m.

Where: At approximately 900 Sturgus Ave. S – adjacent to Daejeon Park

Click here to view event flyer (PDF)

Come hear from Mayor McGinn, Deputy Mayor Smith, Mountains to Sound Greenway Executive Director Cynthia Welti and others about the collaborative work that is creating a new chapter for the East Duwamish Greenbelt. 

Discover volunteer opportunities for this area and participate in a tour with City Staff and community members to learn in greater detail about all of the improvements on and along the trail.

All modes of travel are welcome! Parking is available along 12th Avenue S and on S Charles Street as well as Sturgus Avenue S near Daejeon Park, where the event will take place. 

This event is part of Mayor McGinn’s Walk Bike Ride initiative launched in 2010.

Bring your bike or running shoes to take advantage of the new trail after the event is over!

Construction of this section of the Mountains-to-Sound Trail, which travels through Jose Rizal Park and state-owned right-of-way property, began on June 20, 2011. The only remaining project element is installing final fencing around the off-leash area to create a four-plus acre site.

A lot of work went into repaving Dexter Avenue North from Fourth Avenue North to Roy Street, and the attention to detail shows.  Maybe we’re just paving nerds, but darned if it doesn’t look pretty!  Stand outs among the many improvements include two new crosswalks, dedicated transit islands at 10 of 12 bus stops and a buffered bike lane on each side of Dexter Ave N.  Here’s a trip down memory lane (all modes of travel welcome):

This complete streets project is a significant achievement in how it balanced the needs of cyclists, pedestrians, vehicles and mass transit – guided by the bicycle and pedestrian master plans.  Look for final touches of trees in the bus islands and plants in the rain garden over the next several weeks.

We’ve recently posted several stories about the infrastructure improvements that our Safe Routes to School Program recently completed around our city’s schools.  Today we’ll take a look at another important facet of school safety championed by our Safe Routes Program – school zone speed limit signing.

As drivers it is imperative that we drive the school zone speed limit – 20 miles per hour – whenever we are near schools.  Every school in Seattle is surrounded by signage that clearly demarcates the lower speed limit.  Since 2007, we’ve upgraded these signs at more than 100 public and private schools to ensure that drivers pass these signs on all approaches to our schools.

School Zone Ahead! Advanced Warning Sign

Before entering the zone, drivers pass an advanced warning sign which alerts drivers that they are approaching an area where they should expect to see students. 

New School Zone Signage with Flashing Beacons on 35th Ave SW

SDOT often installs flashing beacons along with the school zone signage on arterial streets to provide further emphasis for the reduced speed limit.  When operating, flashing beacons provide direct guidance to drivers by clearly indicating that the school zone speed limit is in effect.

SDOT recently installed a pair of flashing beacons and new school zone signage along 35^th Avenue SW near a pair of schools – West Seattle Elementary and Our Lady of Guadalupe. 35^th is a four lane arterial street with a 35 mile per speed limit.  These beacons will help reduce vehicular speeds and enhance safety for students walking to school.

Here’s how SDOT’s Sidewalk Safety and Repair Program (SSRP) used some creativity to enhance another project, help out bus riders, and preserve street trees.

The SSRP program repairs a finite amount of sidewalks throughout the city each year, so it’s important to get the most bang for our buck.  When the program thoughtfully looked for opportunities to leverage other city projects this year, it identified SDOT’s Transit Priority Corridor project on Rainier Ave S, which added bus bulbs at key bus stops, crosswalks and queue jumps to make riding the bus faster and more pleasant.  The SSRP program directed some funds to repair sidewalks leading to the improved bus stops, making each project more valuable.

Sidewalk sensitively accomodates street trees with a meander

So, although sidewalks may seem cold, hard and unforgiving, they actually can be thoughtful, helpful and flexible when given the chance.