FOLLOWUP: Avalon repaving project still on for 2019, SDOT says

We’re continuing to follow up on some of the major public-works projects that have been in the works for West Seattle.

(2016 map of proposed Avalon/35th paving/rechannelization project zone)

We asked SDOT about the status of the Avalon Way (and a bit of 35th SW) paving project, first announced last year as potentially planned for construction in 2019, right after completion of Fauntleroy Boulevard. Since the latter project is now on indefinite hold pending light-rail decisionmaking, we wondered where that left Avalon. SDOT project spokesperson Dan Anderson tells WSB today that “construction is still scheduled for 2019. We’re working on the design this year – getting it from 10% level to 90%.” Next round of public updates is planned for “the latter part of April,” Anderson says. One big question will be what type of rechannelization is in the next version of the design – the early proposal unveiled last year, as we reported, included removal of more than 20 on-street parking spaces near the Luna Park business district.

Jeff V March 28, 2018 (6:04 pm)

Any idea when they’ll fix the sinking slabs on Barton? It’s pretty interesting watching the buses bouncing down the street when they pull up to park along Roxhill Park, must be like riding a boat on rough water in the bus.

Bus rider on 35th March 28, 2018 (6:59 pm)

I have the same question as jeff v.

Plus suggest sdot go a little bit south of Alaska on 35th on the east side. The pavement requires cars to swerve around the holes in the lane next to the curb.

sam-c March 29, 2018 (11:05 am)

That one is a little crazy. It’s like a 15 foot long ditch; luckily it hugs the double yellow line lane separator, so you don’t have to swerve too far. (wait, seems like I am thinking of a different one, it’s not in the curb lane)

Avalon resident March 28, 2018 (8:20 pm)

Excellent. Let’s remove street parking spaces while the city continues to approve apts/condos/town houses on Avalon with no parking spaces planned in the development.

chemist March 28, 2018 (11:06 pm)

For what it’s worth, Lisa Herbold tried to add an amendment regarding new developments that do SEPA analyses and show there would be significant parking impacts in an area where there’s already 85% parking usage. Her committee co-members O’Brien and Johnson didn’t approve her amendment, focusing on the idea that one potential tool in the package could be reducing the number of RPZs available at that new development. It goes to the full council next week as council bill 119173 (updated now as 119221).

Lisa defended her amendment at about 23 minutes into this show – http://www.seattlechannel.org/CouncilEdition/?videoid=x90496

Alex March 28, 2018 (9:00 pm)

Totally agreed, Avalon Resident! I am sick of people being able to drive their families to eat at Luna Park Cafe. From now on your 7-month-old needs to ride a bike! It’s high time this city stops bending over backwards by allowing car usage by non-bike-riding children/families/the elderly/disabled.

Sarchka March 29, 2018 (9:32 am)

For the love of God, just PAVE the damn stretch down the hill on 35th NB towards Avalon so my bus can go more than 5 MPH without breaking my teeth! Also, people swerve all over the road there to avoid the holes. By leaving it to degrade so long in the name of this larger “indefinite” project, SDOT has created a real hazard… that will be there into 2019 at least! ARGH

Jort March 29, 2018 (9:36 am)

This is a rare opportunity for Seattle to prove its commitment to the Bicycle Master Plan by completing high-quality, physically separated cycling lanes on Avalon that are comfortable for riders of all ages.

sam-c March 29, 2018 (11:09 am)

All ages- Even for 4 year olds with training wheels ? :)

(I mean you have been demanding for so long that everyone get rid of their cars)
- Jort March 30, 2018 (2:27 pm)
  
  Hello, Sam-C.
  
  Yes, even 4-year-olds with training wheels. The city’s goal statement for the Bicycle Master Plan is:
  
  “Riding a bicycle is a comfortable and integral part of daily life in Seattle for people of all ages and abilities.”
  
  Also, I do not demand that anybody get rid of their cars. My goal is to get higher priority for alternative, sustainable forms of transportation, even if it comes at the expense of single-occupancy automobile drivers. I am more than happy to watch car drivers sit in endless, constant traffic as long as cyclists are safely passing by them and buses are zipping past at high speed. If, unlike me, you prefer to sit in traffic, I would strongly encourage you to choose driving your own car.
  - sam-c March 30, 2018 (4:05 pm)
    
    Cool, thought so.
    
    She’ll love biking home from swim lessons, in the dark and cold night ! :)
    
    surely no trouble falling asleep after swim lessons and a 60 minute bike ride -can’t wait til Seattle is car free!
    
    (fyi, there’s not usually lots of traffic at 8pm)
Also John March 29, 2018 (12:58 pm)

Agree….. I ride up and down that hill every day. It would be great to get a bike lane painted.

I’d like to see buried metal bollards shoot out of the road at the Avalon crosswalk with SW Yancy St. I’ll push that button and be half way into the lane with cars still zooming through the crosswalk. True story…. a month ago I pushed the button and the lights were flashing…I started to cross and notice a large truck that didn’t look like it was going to stop, so I stopped. A car on the opposite side stopped for me. Sure enough the large truck came right through the crosswalk, five feet in front of me. It was a fire truck with no lights on simply going the speed limit. I gave the driver and passenger a double birdie. They were so busy chatting it up that they didn’t even see me in the cross walk. And ‘no’ they weren’t out for an emergency. They saw my double birdie as they barely missed me. …AMAZING! Even the other stopped vehicle was amazed that the fire truck didn’t stop.

Jason March 29, 2018 (12:38 pm)

Put down some reinforced concrete this time instead of the usual cheap asphalt pave over. The buses and big trucks need more support.
Seeing as the Fauntleroy project is on hold for the time being, how about expanding the work a little to fix the stretch of Alaska between 35th and Fauntleroy that has been destroyed by the restripe and channelization of buses onto the non-reinforced curb lane.

Sorry, comment time is over.