DELRIDGE PROJECT: ‘Major construction is almost complete’

SDOT‘s share of the work to prepare Delridge Way SW for the RapidRide H Line – repaving, utilities, and more – is almost done, after 15+ months. That’s the headline in the weekly preview of what’s ahead:

*Major construction is nearly complete. Minor repairs and adjustments to curbs, curb ramps, lights, and other utilities will begin soon. These are often referred to as our “punch list” items, which you may have heard about on other SDOT projects.

*Sidewalk and water utility adjustments continue in Zone A

*Upgrades in Zone B are now complete

*In Zone C, traffic signal upgrades and curb ramp adjustments continue at SW Thistle St. We expect to complete this work soon.

The full look ahead to next week is here. Meantime, King County’s share of the project continues, including 26th SW between Barton and Roxbury, and several areas in White Center

21 Replies to "DELRIDGE PROJECT: 'Major construction is almost complete'"

  • Tracey September 17, 2021 (4:13 pm)

    Do I see a red light or other  camera at the Holden-Delridge light?

  • StopCuttingDownTrees September 17, 2021 (4:44 pm)

    It’s the height of insanity to have the bus stop curbs bulge out so that both lanes of traffic have to come to a stop every time the buses stop. The backups on east-bound Barton because of curve-bulge have been to 29th SW five days per week for years and Delridge is an even busier arterial.

    • Jon Wright September 17, 2021 (8:56 pm)

      No, not the slightest bit “insane.” Those bus bulbs work to give a busload of people priority over cars, maximizing the people-transporting capacity of the road.

      • StopCuttingDownTrees September 17, 2021 (9:45 pm)

        Well, you do understand that it’s also other buses, vanpools, school buses, and carpools that get stuck in the 100% preventable traffic from those bus bulges, don’t you? And the parallel streets of 20th SW and other side streets will take the brunt of those drivers avoiding traffic jams on the south end of Delridge.

        • Jort September 17, 2021 (10:43 pm)

          Just an FYI, traffic is also “100% preventable” if we eliminate private vehicles entirely from our public streets. So, you know, wait behind the bus and deal with it.

          • StopCuttingDownTrees September 18, 2021 (1:11 am)

            “We”? Seattle has one of the highest per-capita rates of personal automobile ownership of any major U.S. city. “We” also pay massive registration taxes to subsidize transit for very few proportionate riders. So “we” will continue to enjoy our personal mobility and you can deal with that.

          • momosmom September 18, 2021 (10:12 am)

            Oh Jort let’s be realistic, do you think the elimination of private vehicles will ever really happen in yours or my lifetime!? Motorized vehicles are here have been forever they’re too much of a money maker they’ll never go away.

      • DC Morrison September 20, 2021 (2:04 pm)

        The bus “bulbs” narrow the road to unsafe widths and make the traffic incredibly backed up adding to pollution, health problems and idiotic decoration on the corridor.

  • sam-c September 17, 2021 (4:46 pm)

    I asked this on one of the previous stories here, but they are going to finish the arrow painting, right?Some of the arrows at Delridge / Orchard are still the temp ones. At least it still was the other day, but it was after they said the painting was complete.

  • skeeter September 17, 2021 (5:31 pm)

    I’ve been using the new south-bound bicycle lane along Delridge.  I like it!  Makes my commute safer and more comfortable.  

    • Foop September 18, 2021 (12:39 am)

      I do like the new bike lane, I wish people would stop using bit as a sidewalk near the school and I really hope they fix that chunky bit of road near Kenyon.

    • D-Ridge September 19, 2021 (7:21 pm)

      Skeeter, curious what you do going north? Love the southbound bike lane but can’t figure out why there’s no northbound lane. I’d be making more trips to Home Depot and the like if I had a safe route back.

      • sam-c September 20, 2021 (10:14 am)

        I was curious about northbound biking options also.  The “Bus Only” lane signs say “bicycles ok”, but on some stretches, there’s not a dedicated bus lane and it seems tight.  Now that the road upgrades are finished, I’d like to take my bike more, but the north bound option on Delridge seems difficult.

      • skeeter September 20, 2021 (1:34 pm)

        D-Ridge – I’m typically coming/going to Highpoint.  So northbound I take snake hill (30th ave sw) and the 26th ave sw greenway.  I agree it is unfortunate the bike lane on Delridge is one-way.  At least it is the uphill direction.  

    • Jay September 20, 2021 (10:12 am)

      I tried biking from the lower bridge to Home Depot the other day and found it pretty scary. The first mile or so after getting on Delridge from the bridge doesn’t seem to allow cycling at all. There are no bike lanes and curb bulbs push cyclists into 40mph traffic at crosswalks. I know I can go on side streets, but it would be nice for arterial roads to support alternative modes of transit. The middle island could have been made skinnier to support bike lanes.

  • momosmom September 17, 2021 (6:31 pm)

    I don’t know Tracey, do you?

    • Tracey September 17, 2021 (8:00 pm)

      Can’t tell if you are being snarky?   Do you know the answer?   Or does anyone?  Usually there is a sign to indicate.  And no, I don’t blow through red lights if that is your implication.  

      • momosmom September 18, 2021 (10:20 am)

        The way you phrased your question I couldn’t help myself from being a smart-a$$, sorry.  But I personally haven’t noticed if there is a red  light or camera. 

        • sam-c September 20, 2021 (10:16 am)

          I saw some new equipment at that intersection, and wondered if it was a camera- to ‘look for’ buses, to determine whether or not the bus-prioritizing signal (on Delridge) needed to be activated.

  • Roger Andre September 20, 2021 (3:03 pm)

    Does anyone know if the intent is to install a left-turn arrow on Orchard St SW to turn onto Delridge?

    • Auntie September 24, 2021 (9:54 am)

      It looks to me like the new traffic lights are working and there is no left turn arrow option. This is stupid, as this is one of the busiest intersections in West Seattle and most of the time you have to run a red light to make a left turn off Orchard onto Delridge in either direction. And hope the oncoming car doesn’t intend to run the red and hit you head-on. Poor planning on the part of SDOT (once again)!

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