West Seattle road ruts: ‘Spot paving’ planned on California SW

Good news for everyone whose teeth (and alignment) rattle while traveling California SW south of The Junction. Natalie shares word from SDOT that “spot paving” is planned to fix its rut-ravaged section from Erskine to Hudson. (They also say resurfacing is planned for a section of Highland Park Way before year’s end.) Natalie originally e-mailed SDOT to plead for repaving all the way south to Morgan; Benjamin Hansen from SDOT’s Street Maintenance Division replied with word that the California work from Erskine to Hudson, described as “large patches across some of the worst areas,” is planned next month. He told her he wishes they could do more, but they don’t have the money right now – though, he wrote, “we included (California south to Morgan Junction) on our Paving Needs List that was recently presented to the Seattle City Council for future funding consideration.” Meantime, he wrote, keep reporting potholes. (206-684-ROAD, or online.)

Jim P August 26, 2011 (1:02 pm)

Wish they’d do something about Delridge. There’s places there that just about knock my fillings loose riding to work on the bus.

Maybe repaint some lines in the street and crosswalks that have faded to vague blotches also.

Wendell August 26, 2011 (1:10 pm)

How about fixing the Admiral hill? McSchwinn moved the lanes over for the seldom-used bike lane. That particular stretch of road was recently resurfaced and was in good condition before the lane-move. Now there are ruts all the way up the hill.

Rick August 26, 2011 (1:25 pm)

Wow. Almost a whole block of California to be repaired. I guess the rest of it is just fine as far as the city is concerned.

michael August 26, 2011 (1:37 pm)

It amazes me that Mayor Nickels was able to get California Ave. repaved in it’s entirity from the Alaska Junction to Admiral Way. Do you think that Nickels living in the Admiral District had any influence? Politics at it’s finest. Serving their own interests, not the interests of those of us that voted for them.

Rick August 26, 2011 (2:40 pm)

I think the intent of the north end paving was to keep one’s tummy from getting too jostled on one’s way home(Admiral,of course) after a big meal in the Junction, thereby allowing one to comfortably continue to rule the city.

DIzzle August 26, 2011 (3:42 pm)

Wow, it only took 2 comments for someone to start the bike hate!

JanS August 26, 2011 (3:57 pm)

Rick…did you read this part?

“He told her he wishes they could do more, but they don’t have the money right now – though, he wrote, “we included (California south to Morgan Junction) on our Paving Needs List that was recently presented to the Seattle City Council for future funding consideration.” Meantime, he wrote, keep reporting potholes. (206-684-ROAD, or online.)”

No one wants to pay for stuff, but they all want it done, and want it done NOW. If there is no money, there is no money. I’m sure at your house, you don’t redo your kitchen if you can’t afford it…city is the same way. I’m not saying this stretch of road is good, and yes, it’s been ignored for quite some time, but, money talks.Or in this case, is silent.

timh2o August 26, 2011 (4:07 pm)

I’m wondering if SDOT will grind and overlay curb to curb or just excavate the bad parts and pave?
Next to the curb where the cars park is pretty chewed up also.

Paul August 26, 2011 (9:32 pm)

thank you SDOT for throwing us a bone

Jeremy August 27, 2011 (1:34 am)

That stretch of California Ave between Erskine and Morgan is a nightmare to drive on. It was in worse shape than the stretch north of Erskine to Admiral before it was repaved. So the solution is, spot and pave one block only. Give me a break! (Literally and figuratively)

Mr Matt August 27, 2011 (2:52 am)

I’d actually like to move the discussion to the front end on a lot of this rough-road business.

Why is it that developers/contractors who tear up the road to do whatever they need to do with water/gas/sewage/whatnot in front of whichever lot they are working on be allowed to do an *absolute crap job* of refilling their hole with a lumpy, completely substandard fill job, or hot patch, or whatever it’s called. I’ve noticed a lot of the newer condos or developments will have these sections cut out to do tie-ins or whatever, and then just dump in some blacktop and split – not caring that it’s leveled out or smooth or anything.

JN August 27, 2011 (5:23 am)

@Dizzle, thanks for noticing that as well!

CB August 27, 2011 (7:53 am)

We need to pass an initiative which limits the city government’s duties to public safety and road maintenance.

foy boy August 27, 2011 (10:53 am)

What is realy funny is they are paving 16av in white center. What is funny is the road was perfectly fine. There was a alot of asphalt that could have went to cal av.

WSB August 27, 2011 (11:12 am)

They are of course two different jurisdictions … maybe the county (which is responsible for White Center) has paving money it could lend the city.

Wendell August 28, 2011 (9:46 am)

It’s about roads being chewed up, not hating bikes. Good grief.

AW August 29, 2011 (1:45 am)

Maybe the city should spend less on Dodge Charger suped up cop mobiles & other top of the line unmarked cars and pave the road that need it. I have to drive around through fauntleroy just to get from morgan junction to alaska junction. How much does it cost to do some pavement? This is the same city that let the Sonics just disappear? Dont build the monorail, tear down the viaduct, ect.ect.ect. Who is running this s*it show?

Sorry, comment time is over.