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October 11-13: Adjusting the NB SR 99 Bus Lane to Keep People Moving

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Looking south at SR 99 during the evening commute on October 8. The newly reinstalled northbound bus lane is pictured on the far left.

Looking south at SR 99 during the evening commute on October 8. The newly reinstalled northbound bus lane is pictured on the far left.

 

After working with our transportation partners to reinstall the bus-only lane on northbound SR 99 north of the West Seattle Bridge in late September, we are adjusting the bus-only lane this weekend to give people driving more time to merge before the bus-only lane begins.

 

Why was the bus lane re-installed?

 

There are 12 bus routes carrying 30,000 people each day into downtown Seattle that use this stretch of SR 99.   The lane was originally installed to help provide transit reliability as WSDOT worked to demolish the Alaskan Way viaduct and construct the new tunnel.

 

As we prepare for tolling to begin in the SR 99 tunnel on November 9, we are committed to providing a reliable commute for those bus riders from West Seattle. We recognize that the re-installation of the bus-only lane has had traffic impacts on all commuters to and from West Seattle. Adjusting the bus-only lane to give drivers and buses time to adjust and additional distance to access the correct lanes will keep people moving more reliably and help transit more easily access the dedicated bus-only lane.

 

Over the summer, we observed buses that used northbound SR 99 to travel from West Seattle to downtown Seattle were less reliable, with some increased travel times. Our partners at King County Metro report that the re-installed bus-only lane has improved transit reliability during the congested peak period, and we want to make that reliable trip even more efficient!

 

Here’s what you can expect:

 

NB SR 99 Bus Lane Graphic

 

SCHEDULE

 

Our crews will begin working on Saturday, October 12. They will complete this work by the time the NB SR 99 tunnel reopens at 4 AM Monday, October 14. We coordinated these changes with the tunnel closure in order to minimize impacts to the traveling public and take advantage of a positive weather forecast.

 

CLOSURE | DETOUR

 

Crews will be working inside the WSDOT closure of northbound SR 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and the tunnel.  Please plan and prepare for impacts to travel over the weekend.

 

PROJECT OUTCOME

 

In the Transportation Operations Center (TOC), we’ve been monitoring traffic on NB SR 99 and on the West Seattle Bridge. After noting additional congestion and delay for general purpose traffic exiting from West Seattle, creating traffic in the area, our goal is to provide space for drivers to merge before the bus-only lane begins, reducing travel times and maintaining reliability for buses.

 

Given the challenges that West Seattle bus riders have experienced this year, we will be watching closely to see how the new pathway improves travel times and reliability for these riders and to identify and implement signal and operational changes, as needed.

 

We will continue to monitor as drivers and buses get used to the restored bus-only lane, and we will continue working with our partners to ensure buses are able to move along that pathway.

 

We look forward to the opening of the Columbia St two-way transit pathway and Alaskan Way for buses, which will help provide an improved transit experience for our riders.

 

Please plan ahead and prepare for impacts to travel.

 

A person waits to board the RapidRide C Line at a bus stop in West Seattle.

A person waits to board the RapidRide C Line at a bus stop in West Seattle.

 

Traffic patterns will continue to change as people adjust to the reinstalled bus lane and the beginning of tolling in the SR 99 tunnel. During this period of transition, please plan for extra time, shift the hours you commute, and avoid driving alone downtown if possible. With the installation of this bus lane, taking the bus is a great transportation option from West Seattle. Thanks for your patience as we all continue to navigate the Seattle Squeeze.

 

Want more information?

 

For the latest travel information, please follow our @SDOTTraffic Twitter account for real-time updates on incidents impacting Seattle’s streets. You can also check our live traffic cameras on the SDOT Travelers Map.

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The Two-Way Columbia St Transit Pathway is On Its Way!

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RapidRide C Line Bus from West Seattle.

 

We’re working with King County Metro to install a two-way transit pathway on Columbia St between Alaskan Way and 3rd Ave, opening to transit in early 2020. This pathway will support all-day transit service between West Seattle and downtown Seattle by creating an efficient and reliable route for buses to access the new Viaduct-free Alaskan Way in early 2020, relocating these routes from 1st Ave and 4th Ave.

 

These changes are crucial to the next step in opening up the Waterfront for transit use and are the final step of the larger project to reconstruct Columbia St to accommodate two-way transit operation.

 

Here’s what you can expect.

 

Click here to download our Columbia St transit pathway flyer:

Two-Way Columbia Street Transit Improvements

Between Alaskan Way and Western Ave:

 

 

  • The southern curb lane will be a 24-hour bus-only lane to allow buses to travel eastbound on Columbia St.
  • The center lane will be a left turn only lane onto southbound Alaskan Way.
  • The northern curb lane will be a 24-hour bus-only left turn lane onto southbound Alaskan Way.

 

Between Western Ave and 1st Ave:

 

 

  • The southern curb lane will be a 24-hour bus-only lane to allow buses to travel eastbound on Columbia St. There will also be 24-hour bus-only lane to travel westbound toward Alaskan Way.
  • The two other lanes are for traffic turning left onto southbound Western Avenue or heading straight toward Alaskan Way and a right turn only lane onto northbound Western Avenue.

 

Between 1st Ave and 2nd Ave:

 

  • The southern curb lane will be changed to a 24-hour bus-only lane to allow buses to travel eastbound on Columbia St.
  •  The existing left turn only lane will be converted to a left turn plus through lane.
  •  A new bus signal will be installed at Columbia St and 2nd Ave to keep the new eastbound buses moving.

 

Between 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave:

 

  • The southern curb lane will be changed to a 24-hour bus-only lane to allow eastbound buses on Columbia St to turn left onto 3rd Ave.
  •  The existing westbound through lane adjacent to the new lane will be converted to a left turn plus through lane.
  •  A new bus signal will be installed at Columbia St and 3rd Ave to manage the new left turning bus traffic.

 

Which buses will use the Columbia St Transit Pathway?

 

RapidRide C Line in downtown Seattle

 

West Seattle, Burien, and neighboring area buses including the 21x, 37, 55, 56, 57, 113, 120, 121, 122, 123, 125, and the RapidRide C Line will use this new pathway.

 

West Seattle bus riders, we heard you about the extended travel times on 1st Ave through Pioneer Square this summer. Working with King County Metro, we moved southbound buses to 4th Ave S and temporarily moved northbound buses to that pathway while S Dearborn St was closed.

 

Northbound buses will remain on the 1st Ave pathway and southbound buses will remain on 4th Ave S until early 2020, when these buses will move to Alaskan Way and begin using this two-way transit pathway on Columbia St to access  Ave.

 

 

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The Anatomy of a Curb Ramp

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Completed curb ramps at E Republican and 16th Ave E

Completed curb ramps at E Republican and 16th Ave E

Curb ramps make our city more accessible for everyone, & they’re a high priority for our Maintenance Operations Division (MOD) Concrete Crews.

 

Pursuant to a Consent Decree, the City of Seattle builds at least 1250 curb ramps per year, and our MOD Concrete Crews complete a significant portion of that required total. Their goal for this year was to complete 300 ramps, and as of Friday, September 13, they’d exceeded their goal! They’ve installed 328 ramps and completed 6 retrofits , for a total of 334 ramps. They’ve done all this with a team of 57 regular concrete crew members and 10 temporary staff (all of them do many other kinds of concrete work, too). They also are supported by our asphalt crews, who assist with drivers and operators when needed.

 

Here’s a step-by-step guide for you.

 

Concrete crew member Alex Savini took some great photos documenting two curb ramp projects recently, and we’d like to share them with you, along with a step-by-step explanation of how curb ramps are built. These photos are from two sites: E Valley and 24th Ave E, and E Republican and 16th Ave E.

 

Step 1: demolishing the old sidewalk at E Valley St and 24th Ave E

Step 1: demolishing the old sidewalk at E Valley St and 24th Ave E

 

Building a curb ramp is a complicated & multi-stage process.

 

After demolishing the old sidewalk, curb, and connecting structures, we clear and prep the area for the new curb ramp. Our crews form up the ramp, wings, sidewalk, and landing pad.

 

Forming up a new curb ramp

Forming up a new curb ramp

 

Once the forms are in place, we level and complete a rock base, which is then compacted. After this is finished, we’re ready for a forms inspection.

 

I Esponoza works on compacting the rock base at E Valley and 24th Ave E

I Esponoza works on compacting the rock base at E Valley and 24th Ave E

 

Our team tackles challenges as they arise. Many of these curb ramps present design complexities & execution challenges.

 

In the case of this curb ramp at E Valley St and 24th Ave E, the ramp and sidewalk were adjacent to private property steps and other structures. When our projects connect to private property, we must obtain “right of access” to pour the ramp. In this situation, the ramp landing was at base of the homeowner’s steps.

 

Darryl Shears, I Espinoza, Savang Suth, and Alex Savini work on finishing the first pour

Darryl Shears, I Espinoza, Savang Suth, and Alex Savini work on finishing the first pour

 

The process by which concrete is formed & poured varies by project.

 

In these photos, the ramp, wings and gutter were all poured at once. After that, the sidewalks around the ramp are completed. While the concrete is wet, team members score it.

 

Robert Pasquariello, Troy Perry, and I Espinoza score the sidewalk and landing pad

Robert Pasquariello, Troy Perry, and I Espinoza score the sidewalk and landing pad

 

And now for the final steps!

 

After all the pours are complete, the concrete must cure completely over a 24-hour period before it can be walked on.

 

Bricks are placed on the warning tactile to hold it in place while the concrete cures

Bricks are placed on the warning tactile to hold it in place while the concrete cures

 

Finally, we replace the adjoining street surface (which may be cobblestone, asphalt, or concrete) so that the street meets the edge of the gutter smoothly.

 

The finished product at E Valley and 24th Ave E

The finished product at E Valley and 24th Ave E

 

We’re so proud of their great work! Our concrete crews are a committed team, and will continue on their mission to go above and beyond in building curb ramps throughout the fall.

 

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A critical safety project to replace the aging Fairview Ave N bridge kicks off construction next week.

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South Connection of the new Fairview Ave N Bridge

 

Thousands of people travel on Fairview Ave N between South Lake Union and Eastlake every day without even realizing that they’re passing over Seattle’s last remaining major road on a wooden bridge. The road next to the historic Lake Union Steam Plant building just south of where Fairview Ave N splits off from Eastlake Ave E is held up by wooden posts built over 65 years ago which desperately need to be replaced. On Monday, September 23, this section of Fairview Ave N will close for approximately 18 months so that crews can rebuild this aging bridge which does not meet current seismic standards.

 

Your Move Seattle Levy tax dollars at work!

 

Peeking underneath the Fairview Ave N bridge, which will be rebuilt to improve safety and seismic vulnerability.

Peeking underneath the Fairview Ave N bridge, which will be rebuilt to improve safety and seismic vulnerability.

 

This critical public safety project will be funded by the Levy to Move Seattle passed by Seattle voters in 2015. The Levy will provide a $27 million investment in the Fairview Bridge Replacement project, which is one of three major bridge projects funded by the Move Seattle Levy. The Levy committed to replacing Seattle’s aging and seismically vulnerable Fairview Ave N bridge, improving safety and updating the street design to accommodate all people.

 

With funds from the Levy’s Maintenance & Repair category, the Fairview Bridge Replacement project is an investment in the future with improvements to move people and goods more safely and efficiently. We’re proud to begin construction on this cornerstone project and deliver on our commitment to voters.

 

Getting around during construction.

 

A map showing how to get around during the Fairview Ave N Bridge closure.

A map showing how to get around during the Fairview Ave N Bridge closure.

 

To replace the bridge, we will need to close this section of Fairview Ave N for 18 months starting on September 23. We know this will be a challenging period as we’re all dealing with the ongoing traffic created by the Seattle Squeeze, but this is an absolutely critical investment in public safety. Learn more about the details of the closure and detour on the Fairview Ave N Bridge Replacement Project web page.

 

This is a critical safety investment.

 

Decaying timber piles hold up the Fairview Ave N bridge.

Decaying timber piles hold up the Fairview Ave N bridge.

 

While the 65-year-old bridge is safe to travel on today, it will not last forever and does not meet current seismic standards.

 

The timber posts which hold up the western half of the bridge are decaying and the concrete girders which stabilize the street on the eastern half of the bridge are cracked. Rebuilding the bridge is essential for public safety.

Concrete girders which stabilize the street on the eastern half of the bridge are cracked

Concrete girders which stabilize the street on the eastern half of the bridge are cracked

The final bridge design has many benefits for our community.

 

The final bridge design includes improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles

The final bridge design includes improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.

 

When the bridge is completed in 2021, all people will be able to move through the corridor more safely. A new wider street will benefit all users and provide more room for people to drive, walk, bike, and get to transit.

 

Unlike the current bridge, the design will feature sidewalks on both sides as well as a protected 12-foot, 2-way bike lane on the west side of the bridge. Just like today, there will be three lanes for cars and buses.

 

Along with seismic improvements, we’re building 3 new lookout points along the west side of the bridge to provide viewing platforms looking out to Lake Union. They will replace the current lookout area located on the northern end of the bridge.

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Right-sizing citation fees

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If you’re walking or biking to work, busing to school, driving goods across town, or enjoying a meal at a sidewalk café, you’re using a shared public resource known as the right-of-way.

 

The right-of-way is the space above, below, and at the surface of places like public streets, sidewalks, alleys, planting strips, and alleys. Occupying nearly 30% of Seattle’s total land area, the right-of-way is used in many ways.

 

Naturally, careful management of these spaces is essential to keep Seattle moving; however, it’s especially important as we work through the Seattle Squeeze – the period of the next five years where private and public construction projects will put pressure on our transportation system.

 

Issuing permits for activities that impact how the right-of-way is used is to everyone’s benefit.

 

We have a team (our Street Use Division) that oversee this process.

 

 

When we first adopted citations for violations of Street Use permits in 2002, the impacts on the right-of-way, whether construction-related or not, were considerably different from what they are today.

 

Since then, we’ve made some minor updates to our citation penalties, but we’ve not done an overall review of them until this year.

 

In our review, we found that penalties are lower than the cost of obtaining a typical permit to use the right-of-way for construction or utility work. Meaning, there’s little incentive to obtain a permit. Additionally, citation fees are the same in all parts of the city and do not account for the higher and lower impact activities.

 

Seattle’s South Lake Union street market (Photo by Jeanne Clark)

 

With this in mind –

 

We drafted a proposal to update our penalties to achieve a few goals:

 

  1. Make our citation penalties more equitable.
  2. Create an escalation scale before issuing a stop-work order.
  3. Simplify the penalty sections of the Street Use code.

 

Now that we’ve completed this work, we’re sending it to the Seattle City Council for their consideration at the Sustainability and Transportation committee meeting on 9/17. Our proposal provides essential updates which we outline below.

 

A sidewalk cafe is on a public right-of-way.

 

As part of the legislative package, we’d adjust our citation penalty amounts & create a schedule for violators of Title 15 (Street & Sidewalk Use) of the Seattle Municipal Code.

 

Penalty amounts are based on the type of right-of-way use and nearby zoning to ensure that the fees encourage people to get the necessary permits and adhere to the requirements, while not disproportionately affecting individuals and small business owners. To keep the proposed fee scale flexible, we’ll ask that the amounts be adjusted annually with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

 

A community garden growing in a planting strip (the public right-of-way). Photo by Jeanne Clark

 

We’re proposing to lower penalties for certain permitted activities (such as vending, sidewalk cafés, block parties, urban forestry, & building maintenance), while increasing penalties for utility permit & code violations.

 

We’re not asking for any changes to penalties for construction permit and code violations in single-family zones, though we’re requesting an increase in all other zones. With these changes, we hope to help minimize lopsided impacts on small and minority-owned businesses. Here are our proposed changes:

 

 

By making these changes, we hope most people will run into fewer un-permitted uses of the right-of-way. Otherwise, only people and businesses working without a permit or outside the terms & conditions of their permit should be affected.

 

Bicyclists on a bike path and sidewalk (bike paths and sidewalks are public right-of-ways). Photo by Jeanne Clark

 

We hope to adopt the new fees in early October.

Please send any questions or concerns that you may have to publicspace@seattle.gov.

 

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September 12: S Dearborn St Closes for Viaduct Demolition

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Photo courtesy of WSDOT. The two remaining sections of viaduct (in orange) at S Dearborn St may not look big, but removing them is complex work due to the many underground utilities that criss-cross the area.

Photo courtesy of WSDOT. The two remaining sections of viaduct (in orange) at S Dearborn St may not look big, but removing them is complex work due to the many underground utilities that criss-cross the area.

 

WSDOT crews will close S Dearborn St and narrow 1st Ave S to two lanes beginning Thursday, September 12 in order to remove the remaining section of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. S Dearborn St will be closed for up to 10 days while crews remove the viaduct overhead. Plan ahead and prepare for impacts to travel during this period of the #SeattleSqueeze.

 

It’s time to make a plan and prepare for new routes if you’re driving or taking transit.

 

RapidRideC Bus

 

This closure will cause unavoidable disruptions to traffic. If you are traveling to and from SR 99 and points south and west of downtown, consider alternate routes or ways of getting around, including exiting SR 99 at Spokane Street, using transit or taking the King County Water Taxi.

 

Some King County Metro buses will reroute while South Dearborn Street is closed.

 

The contractor will pull their work zone back from Alaskan Way to open the full four lanes for people driving during this closure.

 

What’s next for the Seattle Squeeze?

 

Photo courtesy of WSDOT. North end viaduct demolition progress.

Photo courtesy of WSDOT. North end viaduct demolition progress.

 

This month will also bring demolition to the section of viaduct around Marion St and changes for passengers arriving at Colman Dock. This construction is just one component of the #SeattleSqueeze as large public and private construction projects continue to impact how we get around. This will all be worth it.

 

We’re continuing to work closely with our partners at WSDOT, King County Metro, Sound Transit, and the Port of Seattle to keep people and goods moving safely through the Seattle Squeeze. Plan ahead and learn more at www.seattle.gov/traffic.

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Upcoming Intersection Closures at SW Avalon Way and 35th Ave SW

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avalon and genesee

Looking north on SW Avalon Way. Photo via Google Maps http://tinyurl.com/y4uf96f2

What’s happening on SW Avalon Way and 35th Ave SW?

SW Avalon Way and 35th Ave SW in West Seattle are seeing major improvements! This past April, as a part of the SW Seattle Paving: 35th/Avalon Project, construction began to make safety and transit improvements for people walking, bicycling, driving and riding the bus in West Seattle. When complete, improvements will include a new protected bike lane, new bus stops, widened sidewalks in some areas, and a full depth rebuild of the road.

 

What’s next for SW Avalon Way and 35th Ave SW?

We’re about to begin an important part of our project! We will be closing the intersection of SW Avalon Way and 35th Ave SW for up to 3 weekends. The first closure will take place as soon as Friday, September 6, 2019 at 9 AM and continue through Monday, September 9 at 6 AM. Crews will work into the evening to ensure that the intersection will reopen for Monday morning commutes.

 

The 35th Ave SW and Avalon Way SW intersection must be rebuilt to extend the useful life of the road, make utility upgrades, and increase safety for all road users. This work will lead to smoother commutes for all traveling through the area. We are phasing this work over multiple weekends to minimize night work noise for nearby neighbors and minimize traffic impacts for those making the weekday commute along SW Avalon Way and 35th Ave SW. Our goal is to minimize the number of weekend closures needed to keep Seattle moving!

 

We understand that the Seahawks are playing their first home game on Sunday, September 8 (Go Hawks!), and we encourage those attending to plan ahead for your commute home after the games. Buses will not be running their standard routes due to the intersection closure.

 

Why does the intersection need to closed?

These closures will allow us to rebuild the concrete roadway in the intersection. Crews need to close the intersection for the safety of people traveling and to allow workers, large equipment, and trucks to maneuver throughout the work zone efficiently and safely. This work relies on good weather to allow the concrete to cure, so depending on weather, the schedule may change.

What’s left for the SW Seattle Paving: 35th/ Avalon Project?

We are so excited to share that once this work is complete, we will have reached a milestone on the SW Avalon Way portion of the project – by the time the closure takes place we will have rebuilt the majority of the road base of SW Avalon Way!

 

Road work will continue for several months on 35th Ave SW as we dig up the old the road base and build new concrete roads on 35th Ave SW, SW Alaska St, and parts of SW Avalon Way.

 

Thank you for your patience as we safely and efficiently work towards this important milestone.

 

How to stay informed

 

 

 

 

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Alaskan Way Viaduct Construction Impacts on Alaskan Way and Denny Way

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Busy viaduct demolition in Pioneer Square. Photo courtesy of WSDOT.

Busy viaduct demolition in Pioneer Square. Photo courtesy of WSDOT.

 

In case you missed it, check out this helpful information from the Washington State Department of Transportation about impacts to Alaskan Way and Denny Way as part of the Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition and the North Surface Streets connections!

 

Check it out 👇👇👇

 

The viaduct is shrinking along Seattle’s waterfront and the work zone is changing this week as the contractor Kiewit shifts their work zone. Meanwhile, the rebuild of 7th Ave N will reach Denny Way this summer and fall with a series of lane reductions and street closures.

 

Around Alaskan Way in Pioneer Square, Yesler Way and S King St are reopen, and S Jackson St is closed.

 

 

Crews are removing the viaduct through Pioneer Square from both ends. Here are traffic control changes to expect this week:

 

  • August 20: S King St reopened at Alaskan Way
  • August 21: Yesler Way reopens at Alaskan Way
  • August 21: S Jackson St closes at Alaskan Way

 

Uniformed police officers will help direct traffic this week at key intersections during the evening commutes.

 

To reach Colman Dock: Vehicles can still enter the drive-on entrance at South Jackson Street by taking a left or right off Alaskan Way. Please allow extra time to reach your ferry as traffic congestion remains high on Alaskan Way.

 

People walking and biking: When S Jackson St is closed, your new east-west options between Alaskan Way and Pioneer Square are S King St and Yesler Way. S Dearborn St and Columbia St also remain open to bicycles and pedestrians.

 

Railroad Way S: This street will become northbound-only from S Dearborn St, with northbound vehicles forced to take a right on S King S. Vehicles can also turn onto southbound Railroad Way S from S King St, but the southbound lane terminates mid-block at the 505 Western Avenue building parking garage.

 

At the north end, prepare for weekend utility work and paving impacts at the intersection of Denny Way and 7th Ave.

 

The intersection of Denny Way and 7th Ave is the mixing zone for two projects, the filling and sealing of the Battery Street Tunnel and the North Surface Street Connections project. Starting this month, this intersection becomes a focus of work. View a map of the current traffic configuration in the area.

 

Crews will be repaving sections of the intersection and installing a duct bank just east of the intersection. Due to the intersection’s importance in moving buses and vehicles, this work will occur only on weekends.

 

Below is what to expect at the intersection of Denny Way and 7th Ave this summer and fall:

 

  • August 24 – 25: Denny reduced to 2 lanes between 6th Ave and Dexter Ave.
  • September 7 – 8: Denny reduced to 2 lanes between 6th Ave and Dexter Ave.
  • September 14 – 15: Denny closed between 6th Ave and Borealis Ave.
  • September 21 – 22: Wall Street closed at Denny Way, Denny reduced to 2 lanes between 6th Ave and Dexter Ave.
  • September 28 – 29: Denny closed between Borealis Ave and Dexter Ave.

 

Crews will also be working in the intersection on weekday nights, which will involve lane reductions but no full street closures. These closures are weather dependent.

 

Want more information?

 

Subscribe to WSDOT’s weekly construction email or follow the Construction notices and detours page for updates.

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Cowen Park Bridge Seismic Improvements Coming This Fall!

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Cowen Park Bridge facing north on 15th Ave NE

Cowen Park Bridge facing north on 15th Ave NE

 

We are preparing to make seismic improvements to the Cowen Park Bridge to reduce the bridge’s vulnerability to earthquakes. Plan ahead and prepare for impacts to travel.

 

Here’s what you can expect:

 

SCHEDULE

Construction on the Cowen Park Bridge is anticipated to begin this fall 2019 and last approximately 6 months. We are in the final stages of selecting a contractor for this project.

 

CLOSURE | DETOUR

There will be redirects for people walking and biking across the bridge, as well as partial closures of walking routes within Cowen/Ravenna Parks underneath the bridge. Prepare for up to 2-3 full bridge weekend closures.

 

NOISE

There will be noise, dust, and vibrations during work hours, as well as equipment and materials staged near the work zone.

 

PROJECT OUTCOME

The planned seismic retrofits include several modifications to strengthen existing bridge components and reduce overall seismic vulnerability while preserving the bridge’s historic Art Deco character.

 

 

Map of the Cowen Park Bridge Seismic Retrofit project

Map of the Cowen Park Bridge Seismic Retrofit project

 

What’s the background on this project?

 

Cowen Park Bridge from below in Cowen Park

Cowen Park Bridge from below in Cowen Park

 

Infrastructure maintenance is critical for a healthy, vibrant, and connected city. As part of the City of Seattle’s efforts to invest in transportation infrastructure and address seismic vulnerability, the City established a bridge seismic retrofit program. Funded through the Levy to Move Seattle, the City selected 16 bridges for seismic retrofits, including the Cowen Park Bridge.  Approved by voters in 2015, the 9-year $930 million Levy to Move Seattle provides funding to improve safety for all travelers, maintain our streets and bridges, and invest in reliable, affordable travel options for a growing city.

 

Cowen Park Bridge was built in 1936, prior to the modernization of the seismic design code. It connects the Roosevelt/Ravenna neighborhood with the University District via 15th Ave NE across a ravine in Cowen Park. The bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated City landmark.

 

 

Want more information?

 

We’re committed to keeping stakeholders informed and working with neighbors throughout the project to limit construction impacts to the extent feasible. For more information, including a schedule for this work, what to expect during construction, translated content, and how to join our email list, please visit www.seattle.gov/transportation/cowen-park-bridge.

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Come on down and ride the new 8th Ave protected bike lane!

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Sam Zimbabwe, Vicky Clark, and Mayor Jenny Durkan hold the ribbon as a person biking approaches. Celebrating the opening of the bike lane!

SDOT Director Sam Zimbabwe, Cascade Bicycle Club’s Vicky Clark, and Mayor Jenny Durkan hold the ribbon as a person biking approaches. We had a blast celebrating the opening of the bike lane!

 

Bring your bike (and don’t forget a helmet!) and come ride on the new protected bike lane on 8th Ave in downtown Seattle!

 

Center City Bike Network Map

Center City Bike Network Map

 

The redesigned 8th Ave includes a one-way northbound protected bike lane between Pike St and Bell St, one travel lane, paid parking and load zones, and new bike signals at busy intersection. This project completes a two-way couplet for people biking with the existing one-way southbound 7th Ave protected bike lane.

 

It will connect with protected bike lanes on Bell St and 9th Ave to get people to and from the Westlake Cycle Track and north Seattle neighborhoods, and it will connect with bike lanes on Pike St and Pine St to get people to and from greater downtown, Pike Place Market, and Capitol Hill.

 

This project also extends the Pine St protected bike lane between 7th Ave and 8th Ave in order to provide a connection to the new facility on 8th Ave.

 

We celebrated the opening of the bike lane on Wednesday, August 14 along with many members of the community!

 

SDOT Director Sam Zimbabwe and Mayor Jenny Durkan at the 8th Ave protected bike lane ribbon cutting event.

SDOT Director Sam Zimbabwe and Mayor Jenny Durkan at the 8th Ave protected bike lane ribbon cutting event.

 

We celebrated with Cascade Bicycle Club, the Washington State Convention Center, Commute Seattle, and many more of our local neighborhood groups, advocates, and other stakeholders. Thank you to everyone who attended this fun event and rode through the ribbon, officially marking the grand opening!

 

Mayor Durkan with our awesome SDOT staff who worked on this project! Great job, everybody!

Mayor Durkan with our awesome SDOT staff who worked on this project! Great job, everybody!

 

Why did we install this bike lane?

 

Connected Bike Network Coming Soon!

A sign on the newly installed 8th Ave protected bike lane.

 

These improvements are part of the Center City Bike Network, which is a longstanding city priority to make center city streets safer and more predictable for everyone, have biking be a real transportation choice in our densest jobs center, and to maintain transit priority. The goal is to have these projects completed by the end of this year.

 

During the #SeattleSqueeze, Seattle’s period over the next five years where increased construction projects impact how we all get around downtown, it’s important for all of us to change our commutes to keep people and goods moving safely. Biking continues to be a great option during the Squeeze, and our numbers show that you all increased the amount of biking you were doing during the first chapter – keep it up!

 

We’re committed to providing bicycle options to keep you moving during the Seattle Squeeze and beyond to keep traffic volumes low and our collective spirits high.

 

What’s next?

 

  • PIKE ST: New protected bike lanes between 9th Ave and Broadway. A redesigned Pike St will include one general travel lane in each direction, paint-and-post bike lanes, parking removal, and reconfigured load zones.
  • 9th AVE N: New protected bike lanes between 8th Ave and Harrison St. The redesigned 9th Ave N and Bell St will include one general travel lane in each direction, paint-and-post bike lanes, no center turn lane, minor parking removal, and a new 4-way stop at 9th Ave N and John St.
  • SOUTH END CONNECTION: New 2-way protected bike lanes on 2nd Ave Ext S, S Main St, and 5th Ave S between the existing 2nd Ave protected bike lanes and the S King St Neighborhood Greenway. We’re redesigning these streets with separate bike facilities while maintaining transit priority. The project includes general travel lanes on a mix of 1-way and 2-way streets, paint-and-post bike lanes, and minor parking changes.

 

Questions?

 

Email ccbike@seattle.gov and follow along on our Center City Bike Network webpage!

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