16 minutes into that Seattle Channel video, the City Council Transportation Committee – chaired by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka – hears SDOT recap the past eight years of the $930 million Levy to Move Seattle, which expires at the end of this year. (See the slide deck here.) This is a precursor to announcing the plan for the next levy, which Mayor Bruce Harrell said in his State of the City address today that he expects to do in spring. The SDOT contingent briefing the Transportation Committee today was led by director Greg Spotts and Francisca Stefan. They noted that the levy funding comprises almost a third of SDOT’s budget, and that this is the 18th year SDOT has had levy funding. They also noted the levy “pivot” for the pandemic, and then the later course correction to get back on track with its original intent. One program that’s getting back on track is seismic upgrades for bridges – though no new specifics were given, two are pending for West Seattle this year, the Delridge pedestrian overpass and the twin Admiral Way bridges over Fairmount Ravine. (A check of records shows that the contract for the former is about to be awarded, and bidding is still open for the latter.)

It was also noted that one major West Seattle project promised when the Levy to Move Seattle went to the ballot in 2015, known as Fauntleroy Boulevard, remains “paused,” as it has been for six years, since Fauntleroy Way became a possible path for the Sound Transit light-rail extension, which now seems likely to tunnel into The Junction instead. (The project actually was included in a revised version of the levy announced by then-Mayor Ed Murray, two months after the original proposal.) Not mentioned today, but also unfulfilled though it was expected when the levy was passed – Roxbury repaving. (Initial planning happened, but then in 2019 we discovered it was shelved until at least the next levy.)

(WSB photo, looking toward the northwest)

Last month, our brief mention of a reader-reported problem with the 47th/Admiral signal led to a comment discussion about recurring trouble there. One reader said they’d reported it in December and received an explanation that the vehicle-detection system was failing. We followed up with SDOT, which after a lengthy research period provided this response:

We completely replaced the vehicle detection system and made other repairs to this traffic signal in the summer of 2023. The old detection system originally was built with a 5-year product lifespan and had begun to show signs of failure. Since we finished these repairs, our technicians have made several field visits to test the signal, and have not observed any operational problems. The most recent site visit took place last week, when our technician watched the signal for approximately 90 minutes and did not see any issues.

Nonetheless, we will continue to take this issue seriously and will continue to make field visits if people continue to report problems. We appreciate members of the public who have taken the time to notify us when they think they see a problem, and especially appreciate when people are able to provide specific details such as the direction and time of day that they were traveling, which may help us to catch any issues that might not be occurring consistently at all times.

The signal was installed in 2015, two years after the City Council funded it following years of community advocacy for intersection improvements. As for reporting trouble – aside from using the Find It/Fix It app, you can report signal (and other) problems to SDOT via 206-684-ROAD – after-hours, 206-386-1218 – or 684-Road@seattle.gov via email.

(SDOT pothole crew, photo via seattle.gov)

If you’ve noticed new and/or worsened potholes since the recent subfreezing cold, SDOT says it’s on them – provided somebody has reported them:

The Seattle Department of Transportation filled 25,000 potholes in 2023, the most potholes filled in the past five years. Crews are continuing to work hard to address more potholes caused by recent freezing temperatures.

SDOT typically fills over 80% of potholes within three days after receiving a request from the public. While this is always the goal, it may take longer than usual to repair all the street damage after a severe winter storm or prolonged freezing temperatures when hundreds of potholes can suddenly appear all at once.

Every winter, storms and freezing temperatures damage Seattle’s streets, as water from rain and snow finds its way through cracks in the ground and erode the pavement. When the temperatures drop below freezing, this water expands into ice which forces the cracks apart and slices up our streets from the inside out. This causes previously filled potholes to reappear. SDOT is prepared for many new potholes to appear this winter due to recent freezing weather and the possibility of more winter storms to come.

SDOT also proactively looks for potholes before they are reported by the public. This year, crews will patrol major streets to search for new potholes. They will prioritize looking along snow plow routes, which are the most essential streets in the City’s transportation system and experience an increase in heavy vehicles during winter storms making them the most likely place for new potholes to appear.

It may take SDOT longer than usual to respond to potholes during severe weather because the crew members who fill potholes are the same people who work day-and-night during storms to drive snow plows, shovel snow, clear landslides, and respond to flooding. When SDOT is faced with multiple challenges, we prioritize our work to promote public safety.

Potholes are less likely to occur on streets that have been recently paved. Thanks to the Levy to Move Seattle, SDOT has re-paved over 215 miles of Seattle streets since 2016. SDOT crews also add a thin layer of protective sealant to over 200 blocks of city streets a year to keep water out and extend the life of the pavement.

SDOT crews cannot fill a pothole that they do not know about. The public can report new potholes to SDOT in a variety of ways, including using the Find It, Fix It App, submitting an online report, emailing 684-ROAD@seattle.gov, or calling SDOT at (206) 684-ROAD (7623).

That’s a page from a slide deck presented earlier this month to the Levy to Move Seattle Oversight Committee in a briefing on levy-funded earthquake-resistance work for bridges around the city. We’ve already reported on two of the projects on the list, Admiral (listed twice because technically it’s two bridges) and Delridge. But the “silt removal” project for the low bridge was something we hadn’t previously heard about. We asked SDOT for more information – at the committee briefing, it was just a quick mention – and got this explanation:

This project will remove silt that has built up around the western bridge foundations and replace rusted steel collars that are secured around the piles that support the bridge pier.

The western pier is supported by several piles surrounded by a steel casing. There is a circular gap between the support piles and the steel casing which allows the bridge to freely move during an earthquake, reducing the force and stress on the pier foundations. There is a steel collar that fits around the top of each of the steel casings to prevent debris from entering the circular space. Over time, the collars have rusted and the gap has filled with silt. A contractor specializing in underwater construction will remove the silt and replace the collars so that the bridge can move as it was designed to do during an earthquake.

We expect to complete this work later this year, and we do not expect that this will have any effect on travelers or vessels. The estimated project cost is about $650,000. This is one of 16 bridge seismic reinforcement projects being funded by the Levy to Move Seattle.

The silt problem apparently goes back quite some time – we found a mention in this 2019 SDOT report.

As previously reported, two of West Seattle’s smaller bridges are set for earthquake-resistance work soon. Bidding has just closed for one, and opened for another:

(WSB file photo)

DELRIDGE PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS: We reported last month that bidding had opened for this seismic project. As of today, it’s closed. The city had listed the project budget as $5 million; the three “base bids” range from $2.3 million to $3 million. They’ll be vetted before the contract is awarded. Once a contractor is chosen, the construction schedule will be worked out; previously, SDOT has estimated the work could last up to a year.

(Admiral Way Bridges from Fairmount Avenue, via Google Maps Street View)

ADMIRAL WAY (FAIRMOUNT) BRIDGES: Bidding just opened today for this project (technically two bridges), summarized on the bidding website as follows:

The seismic retrofit of the Admiral Way Bridges includes the following general items of work: strengthening of steel column bents, new bracing at concrete pier bents, retrofit of bridge deck joints, bridge abutment retrofit, slope stabilization, strengthening with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), and steel painting.

The project also is summarized here (though obviously the construction timeline mentioned there didn’t happen; SDOT told us last spring they were aiming to complete it by the end of this year). As for cost, this 2023 presentation cited a 2020 estimate of $15 million. Bids are due February 21st.

Two things to tell you about the West Seattle low bridge (aka Spokane Street Swing Bridge):

(Latest SDOT traffic-camera image of low bridge)

TROUBLE TODAY: Just after noon, as we noted here, the low bridge malfunctioned. Traffic was flowing again before too long, but we asked SDOT about the glitch:

There was a problem with the vehicle gate not moving back into position correctly after a bridge opening for ships. The mechanics manually moved the barrier back into place … The gate was stuck because the rubber lining on the wheels that support the vehicle barrier had degraded and slipped off the rim causing the wheel mechanism to jam. Our mechanics are working to repair the wheel.

WORK AHEAD: Also this afternoon, SDOT announced that the long-planned communications-cable upgrade is about to start:

As part of our ongoing efforts to upgrade and repair the (low bridge), we will be installing a new communications line which connects the bridge control tower to the bridge’s moving parts.

While this work occurs, we will temporarily close a trail spur that branches off the main West Seattle Bridge Trailway. The impact to people who bike, walk, or roll in the area will be minimal. Our project closure site will not affect the main trail over the Spokane St Bridge, or the primary bike route between West Seattle and Downtown used by most people on bikes. Instead, we will be closing a section of the trail that provides an optional loop around the foundation of the Spokane St Bridge used by some bikers.

Map of the WSB Trail, showing the usual route people take (the green dotted line). Our project closure site will close the trail (seen here with a dotted orange line and solid red line) is not part of the usual route people take to reach West Seattle or Downtown.

SDOT says this work will start as soon as Thursday, and the “trail spur” closure won’t reopen before April.

Thanks to Steve for the tip about those covered-up signs near California and Andover. SDOT confirms they’re signs for an expansion of what started as the West Seattle Junction Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ):

These signs are for a single-block expansion of Restricted Parking Zone 35 on SW Andover Street between 44th Ave SW and California Ave SW. We followed our standard practice for single-block expansions as described on our website here.

Here’s what the signs will look like when uncovered:

Here’s the current RPZ map; here’s what this zone covered when launched almost five years ago. This is one of two RPZs in West Seattle; the other is in Fauntleroy,

(Ferry passing Alki Point last Monday, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Wednesday afternoon and Thursday evening (January 17-18), Washington State Ferries will host two online sessions of its next systemwide community meeting. WSF says they’ll “focus on systemwide topics like route service, ferry system electrification, and the latest from recruitment and workforce development (as well as) answering questions from participants.” The Wednesday meeting starts at 12:30 pm, the Thursday meeting at 6 pm, and registration links for both are on this WSF webpage. That’s also where you’ll find a link to send question(s) in advance. (If you’re interested in preparatory reading, the newest WSF “contingency plan” has plenty of it.)

(SDOT photo – new signage for Alki Point ‘Healthy Street’)

One month ago, we reported on the new design for the permanent features of the Alki Point “Healthy Street” – Beach Drive northwest of 63rd, and Alki Avenue west of 63rd. Much ensuing discussion focused on the parking situation. This week, SDOT sent a newsletter recapping the design plans and adding the finalized parking stats for those concerned:

# of ADA parking spaces: 3
# of speed humps: 3
# of parking we’re removing (on Beach Dr SW from 3300 Beach Dr SW to 64th Ave SW): approx. 61 spaces
# of parking spaces available (on Beach Dr SW from 3300 Beach Dr SW to 64th Ave SW): approx. 48 spaces
# of parking we’re removing (Cul-de-sac area: raised crosswalk to 64th Pl SW): approx. 6

SDOT adds, “Existing public parking has also been identified in the area for possible re-striping, improved signage, or other updates to better indicate its availability for visitors.” Construction of the permanent features is expected to happen this spring.

(November photo by Gill Loring – new turn signal at 26th/Roxbury)

Questions about road work related to the RapidRide H Line, which has continued months after the bus line launched last spring? King County’s project team has held periodic online “office hours” to answer questions, and tomorrow will bring the last one: 5 pm-6 pm Thursday (December 28), via this link (meeting ID: 228 271 1759), also accessible by phone (253-215-8782). The announcement – which was in their final project newsletter – notes that “we are continuing some paving and punch list work.” If you can’t “drop in” during that hour, you can ask a question any time at rapidride@kingcounty.gov.

(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Announced today by Washington State Ferries:

ach year we host two rounds of public meetings to engage and inform those we serve. In January, we are holding two virtual community meetings to offer both midday and evening meeting options. Each meeting will focus on systemwide topics like route service, ferry-system electrification, and the latest from recruitment and workforce development. The remainder of the meetings will be devoted to answering questions from participants.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to provide written public comment during the meeting or beforehand by emailing our Communications team (WSFComms@wsdot.wa.gov).

Register to attend a virtual meeting:
Wednesday, January 17 at 12:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 18 at 6 p.m.

Not mentioned in the announcement but sure to be a topic as well – the impending departure of WSF head Patty Rubstello.

10:54 AM: The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route is down to 1 boat for now – M/V Cathlamet, on the #2 schedule – because M/V Kitsap is having trouble. It’s been stuck at Southworth but WSF spokesperson Ian Sterling tells WSB the plan is to move it to Vashon, without passengers, for troubleshooting. Until they figure out what’s wrong, they don’t know how long the route will be on 1-boat service. You can check boats’ status via Vessel Watch.

12:54 PM: WSF says the Cathlamet continues alone on the route, with “no set schedule.”

2:42 PM: WSF says it’s moving M/V Suquamish off the Bainbridge-Seattle route to replace Kitsap on the Triangle Route.