The N 105th-N/NE Northgate Way Project is moving right along
New drainage and water quality infrastructure will reduce polluted runoff from reaching our waterways and Puget Sound.
We understand that folks forced to detour because of this project are thinking it is taking too long. Actually, it is moving right along given that it is far more than just a paving project. The construction crews expect to reopen the eastbound lanes of N 105th from Greenwood to Aurora by the end of the year. The closure, which has been in place since late last summer, is the initial phase of the year-long project that will provide complete roadway repaving from Greenwood to Corliss Avenue North (just west of I-5), along with new curbs, sidewalks, driveways, and curb ramps, as well as a new drainage system (including new storm drains, stormwater detention pipes and water quality features).
New sidewalks will make it easier for pedestrians to get around.
In addition, existing traffic signals and streetlights will be upgraded to new LED technology and eight new streetlights will be added in dark spots currently lacking in adequate lighting. The LEDs use considerably less energy while lasting longer and providing significantly improved light quality. New dynamic messages signs are being installed at Fremont and N 105th and at Lake City Way and NE 120th, which will provide motorists with valuable real-time information about road conditions. New closed circuit cameras at Ashworth and N 105th and at Meridian Avenue N and N Northgate Way will allow SDOT to monitor actual traffic conditions and respond to incidents as they occur.
Once the Greenwood to Aurora segment is reopened to eastbound traffic, construction will move east, at which point the eastbound travel lanes from Aurora to Meridian Avenue N will be closed to motorists. As is currently the case with the initial construction phase, westbound traffic in this stretch will be reduced to a single lane as needed for construction. Construction along this stretch of road will take up to six months, before work moves to the one-block segment from Meridian to Corliss Avenue North. Fortunately, this last section of N Northgate Way is sufficiently wide that both directions of travel will remain open during road construction.
Preparing for new curb lanes.
Largely funded through the 2007 voter-approved Bridging the Gap Levy, this is one of a number of SDOT Arterial Asphalt/Concrete (AAC) projects intended to maintain and upgrade major arterial corridors throughout the city, while also taking advantage of the construction activity to make major improvements in storm drain infrastructure, and to install new Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) features intended to make travel easier, safer, and more predictable.