Followup: What SDOT’s about to do, Delridge/Andover northward

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

A reader question last week resulted in this short story about work starting soon on pedestrian and drainage improvements along the north end of Delridge Way. SDOT promised more information – and now we have it:

Beginning Monday, February 16, SDOT will begin construction to build curb ramps at the intersection of Delridge Way SW and SW Andover Street, widen the sidewalk along the east side of Delridge Way SW and install storm drainage improvements. This project will help improve safety and access for all roadway users in the neighborhood.

Crews have set up construction barriers near the work area to facilitate the installation of new Seattle City Light poles. Leading up to construction, you will see increased pre-construction activities, construction equipment and crews, and placement of temporary “No Parking” signs.

Below is information regarding the construction schedule and impacts that will take place in the project area. Please note that this schedule is dependent on weather and may change.

2/16 – 3/6 Construction will start at the intersection of SW Andover Street and Delridge Way SW as crews remove existing asphalt and install new storm drainage and curb ramps. You can expect curb lane restrictions, parking restrictions, transit stop relocations, pedestrian and bicycle detours around the work area.

3/9 – 3/27 Work begins north of SW Andover Street to extend the sidewalk, rebuild the 23rd Avenue SW/Delridge Way SW intersection, and install storm drainage. You can expect temporary driveway and parking restrictions, lane restrictions, and pedestrian detours around the work area. Access to the West Seattle Bridge Trail will occasionally be restricted; bicyclists and pedestrians may detour around construction activity via 23rd Avenue SW or use an alternate route. At times, 23rd Avenue SW at Delridge Way SW will be closed to through traffic. Local access will be maintained. We will provide additional advance notification before driveway access is restricted.

More information on the project background, funding and schedule can be found at the project webpage at seattle.gov/transportation/DelridgeImprovements.htm. Construction information will be posted here as it becomes available.

As for construction itself, during this work you can expect:

· Temporary driveway closures of up to 7 days; advance notice will be provided
· Closure of 23rd Avenue SW at Delridge Way SW
· Parking and lane restrictions near the work area
· Construction during normal work hours, between 7 AM and 6 PM, with possible weekend work
· Noise, dust and vibration associated with concrete removal and paving
· Impacts to bus stops
· Restricted access to the West Seattle Bridge Trail (see note above)
· Pedestrian and bicycle detours

We expect construction will be complete in April 2015, depending on weather.

Don Brubeck February 5, 2015 (1:09 pm)

Very welcome safety improvements for people walking and riding bikes. This is a key connection to the West Seattle Bridge trail, Alki Trail, West Duwamish Trail and streets to south and west.

vincent February 5, 2015 (1:42 pm)

This would be great if sdot wasn’t making the road hilariously more dangerous while they are doing the work. They are frequently blocking two lanes of traffic by parking in one, and the proposed “detour”

bicyclists and pedestrians may detour around construction activity via 23rd Avenue SW or use an alternate route.

Is absurd. – 23rd is probably 100 feet up a steep grade from delridge. and there are literally no other alternative onroad routes. for bicyclists you would have to backtrack to Avalon.

Get a patrol car out there, or at the very least a flagger.

Chad February 5, 2015 (3:45 pm)

This is going to be a huge improvement. This is one of the choke points for bike commuters and this change will make it much safer. It will also improve safety for pedestrians since pedestrians are often sharing the narrow sidewalk with cyclists.

With regard to the detour, it will be an inconvenience, but a small price to pay for the improvement. There are a few options during the detour. I don’t think going to Avalon would be required. There is a path on the west side of Delridge that leads under the bridge, near Chelan Café. One could go that way then head up the path from the 5 way intersection. Or, up 23rd which is a bit of a climb, but short.

David Boneham February 6, 2015 (7:07 am)

This improvement will benefit the citizens who use it. As a cyclist I have always been worried as I commute southbound on the this section of sidewalk. Currently it is dangerously narrow, too close to doorways and too narrow to accommodate two-way(pedestrian/cycle)traffic.

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