Pedestrian, bike and transit improvements in the Pine-Pike area are wrapping up, with a design that’s good for the environment. The natural drainage approach created new bus passenger load zones using Roman pavers – cast concrete blocks tumbled to soften their edges. Crews tore up the old impervious surface and instead placed the blocks, as you might for a backyard patio, which allow water to seep through into the ground. The pavers are also placed at a slight angle to funnel excess rain water into the tree pits (rather than letting run-off push out to Puget Sound).
Tinted pavers also create a visual separation between the sidewalk and the road where bus riders wait for mass transit. Add to that the new bike lanes and markings, new sidewalk on the Pine Street Bridge over I-5, new bike racks, plus Pike Street signal improvements and sharing the space just got a lot easier.