Editor’s Note: This is a blog post from the Waterfront Seattle Program. The Waterfront Seattle Program is a collaboration between the Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects and other Seattle departments including the Mayor’s Office, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Planning and Community Development, and Parks and Recreation.
At-a-glance:
- Now that work on the Marion Street Pedestrian Bridge is complete, construction is shifting back to the west side of Alaskan Way, between Yesler Way and Marion St.
- Here’s what travelers should expect:
- Periodic lane and sidewalk closures (starts as early as April 8).
- Temporary removal of parking on east side of Alaskan Way, between Columbia and Marion streets (starts as early as April 8).
- The Waterfront Seattle team will continue working with businesses to manage critical access for visitors and all travelers during the spring and summer months.
- For more information, visit the project website and sign up for email updates.
The Waterfront Seattle team will be resuming work on Alaskan Way, between Yesler Way and Marion St, starting as early as Monday, April 8. Final improvements planned for the street, sidewalk, below ground utilities and medians on the east side of this section of Alaskan Way could not advance until work on the Marion Street Pedestrian Bridge was completed earlier this year.
People driving or riding transit on Alaskan Way should expect delays over the next few months as this series of work activities will require periodic lane and sidewalk closures. People driving to the Colman Dock ferry terminal or driving out of the terminal may also experience delays. The spring and summer months are a busy time on the waterfront and your patience is appreciated while work on Alaskan Way is completed.
Phase 1: Sidewalk and curb lane closure starting as early as April 8 for paving and sidewalk improvements
- Starting as early as Monday, April 8, work will begin on the east side of Alaskan Way, between Columbia and Marion streets, with a closure of the parking curb lane and sidewalk.
- The two northbound lanes on Alaskan Way will remain open.
- Work will include removal of temporary paving used as construction staging while we built the Marion Street Pedestrian Bridge and replacing with final street and sidewalk surfaces that match the rest of the blocks along the east side of the street.
- Minor impacts on Columbia St for sidewalk and bus stop work.
- This work is anticipated to take a few months to complete.
Phase 2: 5G utility installations impacting northbound Alaskan Way starting as early as April 15
- Starting as early as Monday, April 15, work will begin on northbound Alaskan Way, between Yesler Way and Columbia St, for the installation of below-ground utilities for increased 5G service and repaving after the installation.
- Shifting lane closures, including the bus lane, on northbound Alaskan Way will be in place between Yesler Way and Columbia St for approximately one month. Bus stop and route impacts are provided by King County Metro, via their service advisories and transit alerts.
- Installation of 5G poles is not a part of Waterfront Seattle improvements and will be conducted by carriers. For more information about 5G in Seattle, we encourage you to take a look at the City of Seattle 5G and Small Wireless Facilities (SWF) on Seattle Poles FAQ.
Phase 3: Medians with plantings coming later this spring
- Lane reductions on northbound and southbound Alaskan Way for planted median construction, between Yesler Way and Marion St.
- Bus lanes may be closed periodicallyand sidewalk closures on Columbia St, between Alaskan Way and Western Ave, for final sidewalk and bus stop improvements.
Wrapping up work on Alaskan Way
These are most of the final street improvements on Alaskan Way as part of the Waterfront Seattle program. Work on these two blocks of Alaskan Way was always intended to be a final step due to the overlapping work zone with the Marion Street Pedestrian Bridge, which was timed in close coordination with Colman Dock construction. Park Promenade construction continues to move forward through the end of the year.
To stay informed:
- Sign up for Waterfront Seattle construction email updates.
- Contact the project team: info@waterfrontseattle.org or (206) 499-8040.
- Visit the project website.
- Sign up for King County Metro service advisories and transit alerts.