AVALON/35TH/ALASKA PROJECT: Another postponement

Just yesterday, SDOT announced it would not close the 35th/Alaska intersection again this weekend after all, tentatively rescheduling the closure for a week later. Now that’s off too. Just in from SDOT:

Due to continued rainy weather, we will not be closing the intersection of SW Alaska St and 35th Ave SW the weekend of December 27 – 30. The second closure is tentatively scheduled from Friday, January 3 at 9 AM to early on Monday, January 6. Please note that this work is highly weather-dependent and may be rescheduled.

The Thursday announcement included other project updates – see it here.

Dpilon December 20, 2019 (11:49 am)

I don’t think this construction is ever going to be done. It was supposed to be done in November now it looks like it won’t be done till after the 1st of the year. Typical Seattle road construction. Never ending.

WSB December 20, 2019 (11:53 am)

The project itself was never projected to be complete in November. The 35th rebuild by Avalon – which involved water-main replacement as well as rebuilding the street in concrete – was projected for November completion; it’s done now, a few weeks beyond that estimate.
- KM December 20, 2019 (12:08 pm)
  
  I feeling like you correct this misconception a couple times a week. Thanks for that.
  - WSB December 20, 2019 (12:18 pm)
    
    I get why the date stuck with people, though – it’s the only specific date they have ever mentioned; overall estimates otherwise have been vaguer such as “two paving seasons.”
    - JTM December 20, 2019 (3:05 pm)
      
      WSB – I think the problem is that SDOT clearly said, and I’m quoting from an update you posted on the blog, “Crews will begin trenching to lay new water main on the east side of 35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St (Zone E). We will maintain one lane of traffic in each direction on 35th Ave SW between Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Alaska St through approximately November 2019″ (I can’t figure out how to turn off the italics here, sorry) It’s now late December, and 35th is still one lane in both directions between Avalon and Alaska. It’s, in my opinion, disingenuous to ridicule people (which I want to be clear WSB is NOT doing, but some comments are) for expecting 35th to be open and clear, given SDOTs comments and timeline.

old timer December 20, 2019 (12:17 pm)

This rebuild will, hopefully, serve for the next 50 years. A few months of disruption is, IMO, worth it. I just hope there are severe fees associated with breaking into these new roads for new construction of apt, houses, whatever. And severe penalties for not restoring road to “original” condition. No more of that crappy asphalt fill for new pipes/wires.

Matt P December 20, 2019 (3:03 pm)

Agree. Why aren’t construction companies forced to restore roads to their original condition? Fauntelroy is horrible for this.
Seriously? December 20, 2019 (3:08 pm)

Agree 100%

Transparency December 20, 2019 (3:00 pm)

What are the cost overruns for indefinitely delaying the project? How can they determine that the weather on December 27th will preclude their ability to get the work done? Are they looking at the weather app on an IPhone? These projects and timeframes are budgeted and have quantifiable costs. Someone needs to address this. If the weather turns out to be non-prohibitive that weekend, someone should be accountable.

Eric1 December 20, 2019 (9:37 pm)

It may no be transparent to you but it isn’t just about the weather. Christmas is two days before, and new years is the next week. My laboratory was a ghost town this week and it will be worse for the next two weeks. Construction workers are likewise probably enjoying the holidays as well taking some time off so getting a full crew on the holiday weekend would probably be a challenge. Coupled that with the bad weather this week and marginal forecast, it isn’t a difficult choice to call off work for next weekend. Unless you are Ebenezer.

LyndaB December 20, 2019 (10:19 pm)

Yep.
Transparency December 22, 2019 (8:34 am)

If the reason is shutting down for a holiday break, then simply schedule the work for January in the first place. The intersection is a mess, the cost ticks up each day it is left undone and the process is completely opaque. Announcing that work is paused due to a weather forecast more than a week in advance when the actual reason is holiday time off shouldn’t be acceptable.