Last week our construction crews focused on underground utility improvements throughout the project area. As such, we undertook the following activities along the corridor:
- Installed water lines on Valley Street between Fairview Avenue N and Terry Avenue North
- Installed a City Light transmission tower near Fairview and Valley streets
- Installed and prepared electrical vaults for new electrical conduit on Fairview Avenue North
- Began an electrical transmission cable pull on Mercer Street, which involved a temporary lane revision on Mercer Street west of Ninth Avenue North
- Installed new electrical infrastructure along the Mercer Street medians, which involved a single lane closure on eastbound Mercer daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Working to ensure that traffic moved effectively along the corridor, SDOT monitored conditions and made signal adjustments to help with flow. We also completed the rechannelization of Dexter Avenue North between Mercer and Valley streets.
Dexter Avenue North near Roy Street after restriping
This improvement was made to ensure that buses, cars and bikes along Dexter would not be blocked by vehicles making a southbound to eastbound left turn to Mercer. We created one additional (two total) southbound lanes along Dexter Ave North between Valley and Roy streets, which should also create an easier transition to the left turn pocket heading towards Mercer.
The Seattle Police Department also provided enforcement at the intersection of Mercer and Dexter to deal with drivers “blocking the box.” To keep traffic flowing smoothly, it is critical that drivers not block intersections, especially at the complicated, multi-legged intersection of Mercer and Dexter. By having a police presence there and citing drivers who break the law, we can keep everyone moving during the on-going Mercer construction.
As always, for up to the minute construction updates, please join our project email list at: www.seattle.gov/transportation/ppmp_mercer.htm or call the 24-hour construction hotline at 206-419-5818.