Construction crews paving new southbound bike ramp at I-90 Trail. Photo SDOT.
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Editor’s note: We published a previous blog post on these projects on Dec. 1, 2023. This post provides the latest project details and several progress updates since that post.
At-a-glance:
- The MLK Jr Way Safety Project began construction in fall 2023 and we’re making progress toward completion as soon as summer 2024. All safety improvements at the intersection of S Judkins St and MLK Jr Way S are nearly complete.
- Three more projects – the Beacon Ave S and 15th Ave S Safety Project, Georgetown to Downtown Safety Project, and Georgetown to South Park Safety Project – will soon be advertised to contractors and start construction this year.
- We’re committed to breaking ground on all four projects before the Levy to Move Seattle expires at the end of 2024.
- As detailed in our 2023 Vision Zero Top-to-Bottom Review, protected bike lanes support safe travel for everyone. We’re excited that these safety projects are balancing the needs of transit, freight, and other travelers while expanding our citywide bike network connections.
Design is now complete for three high-priority South Seattle safety projects, and one is heading toward completion this summer. Delivering safer streets is our focus as we build each of these Levy-funded projects.
The Levy to Move Seattle
The nine-year Levy to Move Seattle concludes at the end of 2024. Approved by voters in 2015, the Levy makes up nearly 30% of Seattle’s transportation budget. The Levy funding makes all of these top-priority safety projects in South Seattle possible!
The Beacon Ave S and 15th Ave S Safety Project design and parking management plan is complete
The Beacon Ave S and 15th Ave S Safety Project reached the 100% design milestone this winter, with no major changes since 90% design. We will advertise to hire a contractor by this spring and plan to begin construction later this summer!
We appreciate the positive feedback shared by neighbors about the new all-way stop we implemented at the intersection of 14th Ave S, 15th Ave S, and Golf Dr S in October 2023.Soon we’ll be making additional changes near this intersection to:
- Move the speed cushion near this intersection further down 15th Ave S near S Atlantic St
- Add ADA-accessible curb ramps and a new crosswalk
- Relocate the southbound bus stop on Golf Dr S from just north to just south of the intersection on 14th Ave S.
Notifications to residents and people parked along 15th Ave S about upcoming parking changes have been delivered:
- From January to June 2024, we will implement a parking management plan which adds or formalizes parking in the neighborhood at 4 locations. Starting as soon as June 2024, parking on the east side of 15th Ave S will be removed in segments as crews work to build the safety improvements.
- On-street parking and load zones on Beacon Ave S may be impacted during construction, we will work with residents and businesses to provide timely updates and maintain access as much as possible.
Look out for more notifications in your mailbox about parking changes, final design, and upcoming work. We will continue helping people navigate the changes and find individual solutions to ADA-accessible parking needs. Please email us at Beacon15thSafety@seattle.gov or call us at (206) 900-8728 for support.
These safety improvements represent important and effective upgrades in the public right-of-way, helping to advance our Vision Zero safety goals for all travelers in Seattle. When this project is complete, it will be safer and easier to walk, bike, and roll to the many businesses, community destinations, and transit stations in the growing North Beacon Hill neighborhood.
The Georgetown to Downtown Safety Project design is complete and the S Lander St segment is at 30% design
The Georgetown to Downtown Safety Project has reached the 100% design milestone.
We plan to advertise the project to hire a contractor by this spring and begin construction later this year. For more details on the design, please visit our project web page.
In November 2023, we shared our plans to design two interim segments of the project on a different timeline from the rest of the project. This decision allows us to deliver the project on schedule while taking more time to engage with the SODO Business Improvement Area (BIA) and local businesses on two key areas of the route.
We are still aiming to wrap up the entire project by early 2025. We recognize both segments are essential in making the route safer and accessible.
Please visit our project website for more details on the following updates:
- The interim S Lander St Connection has reached the 30% design milestone. Thank you for the support we’ve received on this part of the project
- The interim North Connection is still in the planning phase as we coordinate and complete permitting with King County
The Georgetown to South Park Safety Project will go to advertisement soon
The Georgetown to South Park Safety Project design is complete. We will advertise the project to hire a contractor in the coming months and start construction by the end of 2024.
To stay informed, visit the project webpage and sign up for our email list. Thank you for your patience and support as we work to make these safety improvements.
A person bikes along the South Park Bridge over the Duwamish River. Photo: SDOT.
Construction is expected to begin this summer on the new dog park at the Georgetown ‘Flume’ property! Part of our safety project will create an off-street, multi-use connection through the new park. Learn more on the Georgetown Flume Off-Leash Area Development webpage. This work is being led by Seattle Parks and Recreation.
Crews are making progress on the construction of the MLK Jr Way Safety Project
Crews have been working hard since September to build safety improvements along Martin Luther King Jr Way S. Severe weather this winter has created setbacks, but we are still on track to wrap-up construction as soon as summer 2024.
This project advances community recommendations heard in previous community engagement on Accessible Mount Baker Project. It also improves access to Franklin High School, the Northwest African American Museum, several nearby city parks, local businesses, and community gathering spaces.
Here’s what we’ve accomplished so far:
- Curb ramps on all corners of MLK Jr Way S and S Judkins St are complete including installation of underground utilities
- Curb ramps on all corners of MLK Jr Way S and S Massachusetts St are complete including installation of underground utilities
- Curb ramps and improved sidewalks on the east side of MLK Jr Way S at S Bayview St are complete including installation of underground utilities
- New bus stop extension at S Massachusetts St
- New stretch of sidewalk on the west side of MLK Jr Way S between S Massachusetts St and S Plum St
- New southbound bike ramp on MLK Jr Way S at the I-90 Trail
Construction team marking areas for sidewalk improvements near the Hillside Community Garden
Construction crew working hard despite the rain to install new curb ramps
When construction is complete, you’ll see:
- One vehicle travel lane in each direction and a center turn lane to keep traffic flowing and prevent backups due to left turns.
- Concrete-protected bike lanes on both sides of MLK Jr Way S
- Fresh street paint to improve visibility and safety conditions for pedestrians, vehicles, and bicycles
- New or improved sidewalks and crosswalks to better separate pedestrians from traffic
- New or upgraded pedestrian walk signals and bike detection signals to make people walking and biking more visible to drivers
- 30 new ADA-accessible curb ramps
Visit the project webpage and sign up for our email list for regular construction updates. Thank you for your patience as we build these safety improvements.
These projects support Seattle’s Vision Zero plan
The designs for these safety projects were guided by our Vision Zero Top-to-Bottom Review and the USDOT’s Safe System Approach. We’re excited to continue building these safety upgrades in the public right-of-way to help keep everyone safer.
