Overnight construction under way by Fauntleroy ferry

| Fauntleroy | Utilities | West Seattle news

A few residents near the Fauntleroy ferry dock have e-mailed/called, wondering about late night/early morning construction work that’s under way this week. We doublechecked; it’s part of the electrical upgrades mentioned here a week and a half ago, for the nearby Barton pump station (prelude to this), for construction of a RapidRide bus stop, and for an electric-vehicle-charging station. The official Seattle City Light notice (see it here) did warn that the work hours would shift to 7 pm-4 am this week when the project moved to the immediate vicinity of the ferry terminal, to avoid conflicts with traffic during the busiest hours for ferry use. The project is scheduled to last at least two more weeks.

nosleep August 17, 2011 (4:09 pm)

Last night, about 10PM the City Light construction started with a power concrete saw and around midnight they continued with the most obscenely loud jackhammer ever. This is after their flyer says the will disconnect vehicle backup alarms at night. The neighbors are livid and are calling City Light, City CouncilMembers, media, and anyone else they can think off. The community knows about this electrical project and has worked with King County Rapid Ride and the Barton Street pump station upgrade. But this is the worst example of community relations from the City ever.

WSB August 17, 2011 (4:23 pm)

Send us a note if it is “obscenely loud” again tonight. I plan to go down the hill to have a look/listen but in the “watched pot never boils” mode, I’ll probably happen onto it during a break. We’re on duty/call 24/7 so text or call 206-293-6302 … TR

nosleep August 17, 2011 (4:29 pm)

Will do. Richard Conlins office answering machine has a recording of it phoned in by one of the neighbors at 1AM. His staff says it was really loud.

Jiggers August 17, 2011 (5:57 pm)

It’s long-way overdue for a remodel.

Scott Thomsen, Seattle City Light August 18, 2011 (5:35 pm)

We apologize for the noise created by this project. We know this is disruptive to residents, but as reported by the WSB, much of this work must be done at night to avoid conflicts with ferry service.

The early work on this project does involve jackhammers and core drilling. Crews will continue some of this work tonight. I will provide an update as I learn more about when this loudest section of the work will be finished.

Scott Thomsen, Seattle City Light August 19, 2011 (8:51 am)

Last night, Seattle City Light finished all the jackhammer work associated with this project. Night work will continue and there will be some noise, but it will not be as loud as the initial demolition of the old concrete. Again, we apologize for the disruption and appreciate residents’ patience as we make these improvements.

nosleep August 19, 2011 (4:37 pm)

Not good enough Scott. Your flyer said that back-up alarms would be disconnected. It hasn’t been done. We are hearing them until early hours in the morning.
Now we are told that the cement trucks will be here Monday night.
You know there is a lot of down time at the ferry dock mid mornings.
Why don’t you work closer with WSFerries instead of us having to do it as has been suggested by one of the SCL spokespersons.

elizabethcase August 19, 2011 (10:12 pm)

Scott, I see you’ve worked at the city long enough to have an unlisted home phone number.
Friday night, 10 pm construction noise as if the trucks were in our bedroom. I spoke with the City Light construction manager. She basically said we should be happy with this work — just wait until we have a private contractor working on the next phase of the project at the Ferry entrance.
Apparently they have a noise variance because they sent a letter to neighbors giving notice for the work. Sounds like the city’s noise ordinance is only upheld at city convenience.
The ferry is slow from 10 am to 4 pm — why not move construction to middle of the day?
Without sleep — how is a person to function?

nosleep August 21, 2011 (8:09 pm)

Elizabeth, Stay in contact with the Fauntleroy Community Association. Fauntleroy.net
They have been in contact with SCL, WSF, and City Councilmembers on this problam.

Sorry, comment time is over.