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FAUNTLEROY BOULEVARD: Still on hold, but SDOT looking at ‘near-term improvements’ while light-rail route planning continues

July 16, 2018 4:54 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo, part of Fauntleroy Boulevard proposed project zone)

Almost half a year has passed since SDOT announced the Fauntleroy Boulevard project was on hold while waiting to see if it would conflict with Sound Transit‘s light-rail plans. The question has lingered since then: So what will happen to the Move Seattle levy money (up to $18 million) set aside for Fauntleroy Boulevard? This SDOT announcement today says some decisions are approaching:

We’ve continued to hear strong community support for the safety and mobility improvements at the heart of the Fauntleroy Boulevard Project. In response, we’re exploring constructing near-term improvements to help improve predictability for people who walk, drive, and bike on Fauntleroy Way while Sound Transit continues to consider their preferred alignment. These near-term improvements will emphasize lower-cost methods in order to expedite construction and save costs, given the potential these improvements may have to be removed during Sound Transit light rail construction in the coming years.

Later this month, we’ll convene a roundtable of community representatives to discuss potential improvements, based on the original Fauntleroy Boulevard Project design. After that, we’ll share our near-term improvements proposal with the community. We anticipate constructing these near-term improvements as soon as spring 2019.

We remain committed to the goals of the Fauntleroy Boulevard Project. If Sound Transit’s light rail design for West Seattle does not impact Fauntleroy Way, we will move forward with the project as designed. If Sound Transit’s design impacts Fauntleroy Way, we will work with Sound Transit to implement streetscape improvements on Fauntleroy Way that align with the goals of the Fauntleroy Boulevard Project. In this case, we would also reallocate remaining Fauntleroy Boulevard Project funds to address other mobility needs in West Seattle.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at fauntleroyblvd@seattle.gov or call our project phone number at 206-727-3994.

Community reps who’ve been invited so far tell WSB that the “roundtable” is on July 25th at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor). If you’ve forgotten what the project detailed – you can see the design and other details here.

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7 Replies to "FAUNTLEROY BOULEVARD: Still on hold, but SDOT looking at 'near-term improvements' while light-rail route planning continues"

  • MrB July 17, 2018 (12:08 am)

    Only in Seattle the solution to a problem is to do nothing.  

  • Bob July 17, 2018 (7:06 am)

    Respectfully disagree.  In Seattle, if there’s no problem, government will create one.  It gives them something to “study” or “plan”.

  • KayK July 17, 2018 (7:44 am)

    Respectfully suggest some of those funds go to implement the Holden/Highland Park Way roundabout. 

  • Kyler July 17, 2018 (10:55 am)

    Was so excited for this project to start… and disappointment. Why a community would reject the opportunity to improve the main entrance to it’s neighborhood is beyond me. I am sad that people were concerned more about traffic than the safety, functionality, and beauty of their neighborhood.  The entrance off the bridge feel a bit like north of 85th Aurora to me… not the best look. The entire community benefits from this improvement project. Fingers crossed we get the ball rolling again sooner than later. 

  • Mickymse July 17, 2018 (2:55 pm)

    Only in Seattle would we have a project funded — TWICE now — and then have some number of community members fret and complain that we need to have more discussion or wait to do something instead of actually moving ahead with a project that was requested by the neighborhood in the first place years ago.

  • The Truth July 17, 2018 (4:50 pm)

    I think that this shows an attempt at fiscal restraint that I will applaud.  To spend up to 18 million on a boulevard into WS just to tear it up in 6-8 years seem both a waste of money and would double impact the small businesses on that strip by having construction on and off for the next 10 years.  They should focus on the critical safety improvements until the light rail route is scheduled.  If it gets tunneled then pull the trigger and if not, coordinate with sound transit and split the costs.  Do we have an ugly entrance into West Seattle? Yes.  Is it really impacting anyones quality of life enough to push this through and then tear it all up? No

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