SDOT says next phase of work has begun on 2-way Columbia Street transit ‘pathway’
In recent discussions of excruciatingly slow West Seattle-bound bus journeys from downtown, there’ve been many reminders that buses’ use of 1st Avenue South is temporary, with new permanent “pathways” in the works. Construction started today on the next phase of creating one key route, the 2-way version of Columbia Street (prep work was done more than a year ago). Here’s the city’s announcement:
With the former on-ramp to the Alaskan Way Viaduct now fully demolished, construction began today on Columbia Street for transit and pedestrian improvements between 1st Avenue and Alaskan Way. As part of the Waterfront Seattle Program, the City of Seattle’s Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects is transforming Columbia Street into a two-way corridor with bus-only lanes and improved sidewalks. This critical transit pathway is expected to be completed and operational by early January 2020. Once operational, transit will use Columbia Street and Alaskan Way for both inbound and outbound travel between downtown and southwest King County.
Construction of the Columbia Street improvements is expected to take about four months and includes new underground utilities. Work will mostly take place during daytime and weekday hours, with occasional overnight and weekend work. Columbia Street will be closed to vehicles at 1st Avenue, with other intermittent traffic closures on Western, Post, and 1st avenues. Columbia Street will remain open to pedestrians throughout construction, with sidewalks open on at least one side of the street.
Later this fall, the City will begin rebuilding Alaskan Way, as soon as Viaduct demolition is complete. The City is committed to keeping the waterfront open and accessible throughout construction. To learn more visit waterfrontseattle.org, call 206-499-8040 or email info@waterfrontseattle.org
The plan has been long in the making – back in 2012, when decisions about downtown traffic flow were being made, we reported on Columbia being “in the lead” over other possibilities.
UPDATE: Flipped-car crash on Harbor Avenue
(Photo by Loren Schwartz)
8:21 PM: The big Seattle Fire response is for what SFD reports as a flipped-car crash in the 3200 block of Harbor SW. Everybody’s reported to be out of the vehicle and being evaluated/treated for injuries.
8:25 PM: Photo added (thanks!). Police are reported to have Harbor blocked off both ways in the 3200 block.
(WSB photo)
8:47 PM: Police say the driver was headed toward the bridge, hit the median, car flipped and took down the pole shown above. The driver had one passenger; no serious injuries reported.
11:39 PM: The road has reopened.
DEVELOPMENT: Comment time for 5616 California SW
(Rendering by Cone Architecture)
The next round of design feedback is open for 5616 California SW, the townhouse/rowhouse proposal planned to replace a 94-year-old house next to C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). This project is going through Administrative Design Review, which means no public meetings (aside from the “early community outreach” gathering we covered last September). The proposal is for eight residential units and four offstreet-parking spaces, according to the packet by Cone Architecture (45 MB, PDF); the notice explains how to comment before the August 19th deadline. (Note that although the notice says this is “Early Design Guidance” feedback, the packet and city files indicate this is actually the “Recommendation” final round.)
FOLLOWUP: No ‘all clear’ yet after Fauntleroy sewer overflow
On Saturday, we reported on the King County Wastewater Treatment Division‘s announcement of a 200-to-400-gallon sewage leak that resulted in warning signs along part of the Fauntleroy shoreline. We checked back with KCWTD spokesperson Norm Mah today to see if the warning was still in effect. Short answer: Yes. Longer: “The beach is not closed, a limited area around the vault located in the southernmost end of the park along the beach trail has been cordoned off to public access. Signs remain posted advising the public to avoid contact in the area out of an abundance of caution. We are still conducting water quality sampling in the area that is posted. Water quality tests are done until there are two consecutive days below the state threshold.” KCWTD blamed the overflow on “a leaking pressure relief valve on the Barton Pump Station pipeline that travels through Lincoln Park.”
West Seattle scene: Underwater sights, from the surface
The air’s a bit hazy/smoky this afternoon but “Diver Laura” James reports from her paddleboard off Alki that the water’s crystal clear. Above, the eelgrass that so many species thrive on; below, a less-pleasant sight:
Without going in for a closer look, Laura surmises that’s a canopy that might have blown into the water from a beach event. (Anyone missing one?)
PARTY TIME: Hours left to register your Night Out street party
Procrastinating on signing up your Night Out block/building party? Almost forgot it’s tomorrow (Tuesday, August 6th) night? As long as your street isn’t an arterial, you can still sign up for the right to close it to traffic tomorrow night – 4:30 pm today is your deadline. Just go here! And then when you’re out in the warm, clear weather, enjoying the night with your neighbors, please send us a pic so we can include in our coverage (we’ll be roaming but we’ll also be covering Election Night so we won’t get to make many stops ourselves) – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text to 206-293-6302 or if you’re on Twitter, @westseattleblog – thanks!
P.S. Putting your party on SPD’s online map is optional; go here to see where parties are already mapped.
DEVELOPMENT: 8854 Delridge Way headed back to Design Review Board after 2 years
The fire-damaged auto-shop building at Delridge/Henderson has long since been demolished, but the redevelopment plan for the site has idled – until now. The second Southwest Design Review Board meeting for the project at 8854 Delridge Way SW has just appeared on the board’s schedule, two years after the first one (WSB coverage here). The project is now described as “a 4-story apartment building with 18 small efficiency dwelling units, 14 apartments, and office space. Parking for 14 vehicles proposed.” The SWDRB meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm Thursday, September 5th, at the board’s usual meeting place, the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon). It will include a public-comment period.
SIDE NOTE: The project’s online file indicates that contaminated soil from the site – which also once held a gas station – was removed post-demolition.
5 for your West Seattle Monday!
(Mallard, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Highlights for your Monday:
WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) wading pool is open 11 am-8 pm, Delridge wading pool (4501 Delridge Way SW) is open noon-6:30 pm, South Park wading pool is open noon-7 pm. And the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.
FREE SUMMER MEALS: Still a month until school starts back up again, and local efforts continue to make sure no kids/teens go hungry. Various locations and times – use this lookup to find them.
FAMILY STORY TIME: Air-conditioned High Point Library welcomes kids of all ages, 6:30 pm storytime. (3411 SW Raymond)
WEST SEATTLE QUILTERS: The air-conditioned Senior Center of West Seattle will be a great place to hang out at 7 pm if you’re a quilter. (4217 SW Oregon)
QUIZ NIGHT: 8 pm at Parliament Tavern. $2/player. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
PREVIEW THE REST OF THE WEEK … via our complete calendar!
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