FOLLOWUP: What’s changed in the SW Avalon Way repaving/rechannelization plan you’ll see at Thursday open house

As first reported here last weekend, SDOT has reached another design milestone in the SW Avalon Way repaving/rechannelization plan: “60 percent” design. And that’s why they’re inviting you to an open house tomorrow (Thursday, August 23) for a closer look and comments.

SDOT offered a preview and we finally spoke this afternoon with Dan Anderson, so we could share toplines before the open house. Here are the highlights of what’s changed since the project hit 30 percent design last spring:

(See all the new project graphics on the city website here.)

BICYCLE RAMP: At the north end of the project zone, Anderson says, they heard a lot of comments against moving bicycles onto the sidewalk/trail north of the relocated non-Rapid Ride bus stop. So the ramp onto the sidewalk/trail will now be south of the bus stop.

STREET PARKING: They’re evaluating where street parking can be limited to 2 hours to encourage turnover, especially for Luna Park businesses. One place that looks possible: SW Bradford. Anderson says they’re asking for feedback on the rest of the corridor too (keep in mind that the project zone is not only the entirety of Avalon between Spokane and Fauntleroy, but also 35th between Avalon and Alaska, plus one block of Alaska between 35th and 36th).

The street-parking evaluation also includes load zones, and SDOT wants to hear from you where those would work best. They’re proposing “adding back one parking space on the west side by Luna Park Café” as a loading zone, but are looking for more extensive feedback given that the rechannelization of Avalon will take out the center turn lane, which has been a de-facto load zone in some spots. “Since that’s going away, we have to figure out how trucks can load,” Anderson said.

One parking issue they won’t resolve in time for the meeting – they were asked for “better numbers” in terms of a more precise count of current and proposed street parking, since SDOT’s measuring standards (as little as 16′, as much as 31′) don’t necessarily match what you might consider a parking space. This assessment won’t be ready until next month.

LEFT-TURN POCKETS: The one on NB 35th to WB Alaska will be extended, by community request. Turn pockets, however, will NOT be added at Avalon/Yancy – wouldn’t work with transit and bicycle lanes, said Anderson.

TIMELINE: Because of the extent of the work – including water-main replacement and complete rebuilding of the road on the 35th SW section – this “could be two seasons worth of paving,” Anderson said, so they want to hear from community members regarding “different phasing options.” It’s still planned to start next spring, but the phasing discussion would also tackle where they would start.

Again, tomorrow’s open house is 5:30-7:30 pm at American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska) – drop in when you can. And watch the project page, where updated maps/graphics for the 60 percent design should be posted soon.

ADDED 10:07 AM THURSDAY: We’ve just received from SDOT the boards and major map, added above.

15 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: What's changed in the SW Avalon Way repaving/rechannelization plan you'll see at Thursday open house"

  • Sam-c August 22, 2018 (9:54 pm)

    I clicked links to check to boards from the june open house.. So, are the getting rid of the turning lane at genesse?

  • MJ August 22, 2018 (10:51 pm)

    Keeping left turn channelization at Yancy and 30th is very doable, simply keep the northbound bikes along the curb, no right turn at Yancy is needed and avoid shifting bikes.  Bikes can share a bus lane downgrade for a short distance.  In addition some parking could be retained.

  • chemist August 22, 2018 (11:49 pm)

    I look forward to seeing how they’re planning on directing the dedicated bike lane towards the sidewalk prior to a bus stop, considering how narrow that area is.  People waiting for the bus tend to be on that sidewalk.

    • CAM August 23, 2018 (4:21 am)

      I’m reading this as the bike ramp being after the bus stop if heading in the direction of the bridge?

      • WSB August 23, 2018 (7:22 am)

        In the 30 percent design they were proposing it being north of the relocated bus stop. Now, they’re not. Hoping to receive maps/graphics sometime today before the event.

        • WSB August 23, 2018 (10:25 am)

          Graphics now added.

          • chemist August 23, 2018 (12:56 pm)

            Thanks, but it looks like SDOT has mis-named the pavement plan file as both the 60% pavement plan and the 60% “channelization plan” multi-page.  The single-page version is zoom-able.

          • WSB August 23, 2018 (1:44 pm)

            What “Chemist” is indirectly pointing out is that the docs and maps are all now on the SDOT website too. They’d also sent me that single-page map but I didn’t get it uploaded before we had to head out of the office for a while. It’s here:
            http://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/SDOT/MaintenanceProgram/Avalon/Avalon60ChannelizationPlanMap-SingleSheet.pdf

          • sam-c August 23, 2018 (2:41 pm)

            thank you for that latest link! Answers all my questions. I’ll shut up now

          • chemist August 23, 2018 (4:41 pm)

            Actually was trying to point out that the “color blobs instead of lane markings” pavement map is in both files SDOT linked, despite being titled titled.  It’s not your issue, but it does make it more difficult to see the lane markings anywhere but the “single sheet” version.60% Design – Channelization Plan, Multiple Sheets (August 2018) and 60% Design – Pavement Maps (August 2018)

  • sam-c August 23, 2018 (10:35 am)

    I wish their satellite/ plan view with the colors included the lane markings.  The section views don’t clarify if there will still be a left turn lane to turn onto Genesee from Avalon?  It’s one of the very few connections from the N. Delridge area to other parts of West Seattle.Oh well. (no, not making it tonight to ask- already have 2 other places I have to be)

    • KBear August 23, 2018 (11:56 am)

      It doesn’t look like anything’s changing on Genesee. The light was put in mainly for the 50 bus, so I doubt they’d take away that left turn.

      • sam-c August 23, 2018 (1:23 pm)

        sorry, I meant the left turn lane from southbound Avalon onto Genesee.  Don’t think the Rt 50 makes that turn. Right now there’s a turn lane to make that left (which is good, because there isn’t a left turn arrow), but all the ‘proposed’ street sections have the turning lanes removed.

  • Peter L. August 23, 2018 (12:21 pm)

    Protected bike lanes (or any bike lane downhill) are long overdue on Avalon. The only major flaw in this plan is that the bus lane approaching Spokane isn’t being made 24/7, which is should be.    

  • Steven August 26, 2018 (8:35 am)

    To all those worried about losing Doris Day parking at Luna Park Cafe, there is a largely unused park and ride less than a block from the restaurant. What a great way to get your steps in for the day and support a local business. And since the park and ride is largely unused, the city probably won’t even notice you aren’t riding after parking. Or at the very least, they can turn a blind eye to it like so many other issues.

Sorry, comment time is over.