Upcoming 23rd SW closure: SDOT info on no-parking zones

People who live in, and travel through, North Delridge/Pigeon Point/Puget Ridge are still working to sort out how they’ll get around when a section of 23rd SW, just southeast of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, closes for up to six weeks starting next Monday, so a sewer line can be extended to new homes that are being built in the area. Yesterday, we published the Route 125 bus re-routing information from Metro; today, SDOT confirms the parking restrictions that will be put into place, with signs going up as soon as tomorrow. There’s a pedestrian advisory too. Read on for details:

We received this information after asking SDOT media liaison Marybeth Turner for the latest – in addition to the parking-restriction details, note word of an added stop sign, PLUS a pedestrian advisory:

23rd Avenue SW Closure–

“No-park” signs will likely be set up starting tomorrow.

The plan for prohibiting on-street parking is listed below.

This plan is subject to change in the field. Parking restrictions may be increased or decreased, as needed for safety.

Special considerations are the space needed for buses and trucks to turn, and the additional traffic generated by the detour.

Parking Restrictions
(May be changed in the field if needed)

East side of 21st Ave SW from 22nd SW to SW Genesee
Both sides of 21st SW from Genesee to Andover
Both sides of 20th SW between Genesee and Dakota
East side of 20th from Charlestown to Dakota
Both sides of Charlestown from 20th to 21st
Both sides of Genesee from 20th to 21st
Both sides of 21 from Charlsestown to Andover

A stop sign will be located on 21st at Andover, facing north and south

ALSO: Access through 23rd Avenue SW at the construction site will be closed to pedestrians for reasons of safety.

Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council leadership is working to help area residents get concerns addressed – so if you live in that area, be sure you’re signed up for their mailing list – follow the links from pigeonpoint.org.

7 Replies to "Upcoming 23rd SW closure: SDOT info on no-parking zones"

  • celeste17 February 17, 2010 (3:05 pm)

    I am confused will it only be 23rd that will be closed? Or will Oregon (the main road that goes up to the college be closed)?

  • Richard February 17, 2010 (3:43 pm)

    Closing pedestrian access for six weeks seems to be completely contrary to the recently completed Pedestrian Master Plan, which spoke about the City’s goal of improving pedestrian access past construction sites. There has to be a reasonable way to maintain a safe sidewalk across the street from the new homes for the majority of the six weeks. If there is a need to erect a rail between the sidewalk and the excavation, the contractor should have money to do that given the very low permit fee he is paying for closing the street ($60/day!)

    It sounds like SDOT just gave him everything he wanted and did not push back very hard on any part of it. It seems to me that there should have been pointed questions asked: “what can you do to complete the work faster?”, “what steps can you take to minimize impacts to pedestrians, bicyclists, neighbors?” If there is no financial incentive in the permit fee structure to take those steps, the only way contractors will consider these options is through SDOT’s pushing it. Can they show you any evidence they did that?

  • that girl February 17, 2010 (5:42 pm)

    yes, since when does it take 6 weeks to dig up a street?

  • Marybeth Turner February 18, 2010 (1:12 pm)

    In response to Richard’s comment, SDOT would have liked to provide pedestrian access through 23rd Avenue SW when it closes, but it is not possible at this site. Safe access would require at least a four-foot wide path with a minimum of one and one-half-foot buffer on each side clear of potential hazards, as well as adequate lighting and a safe walking surface. This is not possible since the entire width of the site is being used for construction and there are drop-offs at the street shoulders.
    Marybeth Turner–SDOT

  • KBear February 18, 2010 (2:20 pm)

    “since when does it take 6 weeks to dig up a street?”

    It only takes a day to dig up the street, but may take months to put it back together.

  • Richard February 18, 2010 (3:43 pm)

    Marybeth,

    Thank you for your response. I appreciate your taking the time to clarify the requirements.

    The four feet, smooth and lighted, plus 1.5 feet clear either side sounds wonderful, but it sounds like a lot more than the sidewalk that currently exists on 23rd that we have been using up until now. How far up and down the street will you be requiring the contractor to provide that sidewalk when he is done? If pedestrians will wind up with this kind of upgrade in exchange for the six weeks of inconvenience, that sounds reasonably equitable.

    Again, thanks for keeping us informed.

    Richard

  • Richard March 2, 2010 (4:23 pm)

    Marybeth,

    I am disappointed not to have heard back from you regarding the upgrade to the sidewalk on 23rd SW. Clearly, if you can’t open it without providing a clear four-foot walkway plus 1.5 feet either side, it will be getting a substantial improvement before it is reopened at the end of this project. There were locations with telephone poles and mailboxes smack in the middle of the sidewalk, forcing pedestrians out into the street and making it impassable for strollers or wheelchairs. Can you tell us how far up and down the street the required upgrades will run and whether they will be completed at the same time as the rest of the work here?

    Thanks,

    Richard

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