West Seattle traffic alert: Gas-line work starts in Morgan Junction
If you happened onto the new street closure along Morgan just east of California, alongside West Seattle Thriftway (where the north driveway is blocked off too, as shown in photo below), you might have assumed it’s part of the Fauntleroy Way repaving project – but it’s not. This is actually gas-line replacement work ordered by Puget Sound Energy, same type of project that tore up roads for a while in Westwood, but not nearly as extensive – they’ve timed it to coincide with the paving work, though, so the roads won’t have to be repaved twice. They’re replacing four-inch-wide “bare steel” gas line with eight-inch-wide PVC piping along about 600 feet of SW Morgan, mostly between California and 42nd. No estimate yet of how long this will last – but the road-paving work continues to stretch southward anyway, so just expect it’s going to be slow going in this stretch for a while, and know that your main entrance point to Thriftway is its west entrance (you can get to its east entrance from the south, but not from the north).
Southwest District Council: 2 drafts; library shutdown; more
From Wednesday night’s Southwest District Council (WSB sponsor) meeting: 2 drafts, both with time running out for you to review them and have a say. First one is the city’s draft Pedestrian Master Plan — which you can see here – comment time running till June 15. SDOT‘s Barbara Gray was at the meeting to review its highlights and answer questions. One thing she was asked: Do too many advertising A-boards on sidewalks get in the way of pedestrians? Gray said the city used to have a staffer who worked on those types of enforcement issues, but the position was cut, so now neighborhood business groups need to work internally to handle any such issues. Next draft that comments are being taken on is a little wonkier – read on: Read More
Viaduct/Tunnel/etc. “South Portal Group,” meeting #3
We’re in the Sound Transit Board Room at 4th/Jackson on the south edge of downtown, for the third meeting of the “South Portal Working Group” that’s helping make sure the Viaduct/Tunnel/associated projects function for the communities that will be using them. This is the group that is dealing with the specifics of the West Seattle-facing end of the changes coming to the “Highway 99 corridor” – and much of today’s meeting will deal with a huge sticking point that emerged at the second meeting, according to West Seattle members of the group: A change to the Alaskan Way/East Marginal Way connection that would no longer make a straight-shot waterfront surface trip possible. The bypass that was shown at the last meeting (here’s the presentation) did not go over well, we’re told, and now there are three alternatives to be discussed tonight. They’re not available online yet but we’ll link when they are, and we’ll add information from this meeting as it happens. Right now there’s an overview of where all the areas are at, including the future of the Central Waterfront; the manager leading the briefing says that it’ll take a “couple years” to design what the post-Viaduct waterfront will look like. (P.S. Important note, your next chance to find out a lot more about where all this stands is at the “scoping meeting” next Wednesday, 6-8 pm, Madison Middle School; the project is advertising on WSB for the next week to help get the word out about that meeting – here’s the official invitation). MEETING NOTES: Read on — we’re adding them as they go:Read More
More road-project updates: 16th SW paving, 30th SW sidewalk
First, new information on the upcoming 16th SW paving project near South Seattle Community College, from Rick Sheridan at the city Transportation Department – he says the schedule is now pushed back about a month:
An update on the paving work that will occur on 16th Avenue SW this summer. The project, previously scheduled for June, will now instead begin in late July. This is being done to accelerate our work on 4th Avenue S between Royal Brougham and Airport Way, and lessen its impact on the traveling public and nearby businesses.
We will still be able to repave 16th Avenue SW during the summer session at South Seattle Community College, when student traffic through the area is lower. The work will last approximately six weeks and require a detour.
Here’s the official city page about the project. Meantime, a report from Marco in High Point, regarding the 30th SW sidewalk work between High Point and Delridge, right after this photo he just sent:
After weeks of construction on 30th Ave SW they removed the ‘road closed’ sign at the bottom of the hill, but not yet at the top (Juneau).
The city’s most recent update, published online earlier this month, said the project was on schedule to be done “in early June.”
West Seattle scene: Turning road work into art
The digging-up of the old, about-to-be-replaced pavement on Fauntleroy Way has started in earnest, we noticed today. But that’s not all that’s happening on the road. Brianna sent the photo within the past hour, explaining:
just thought i would pass these pics along of a local artist making the most of the fauntleroy street closure.
andy smith has been out on the street painting for the past hour or so working on some pollock inspired pieces.
looks great!!
We have a followup question out to ask exactly where this is happening – the construction zone currently stretches from Edmunds to Findlay.
Countdown to almost-carless Alki on Sunday: Flyers, activities
If your car is parked along Alki tonight, you’ll likely find a flyer like that on it by morning. SDOT tells WSB they’re being distributed tonight as part of the outreach to make sure everyone knows about the Seattle Summer Streets Spectacular – sequel to Car-Free Day – on Alki this Sunday. We reported “practical details” last night, including the impending arrival of the no-parking signs, which we confirmed tonight are up now:
A few other notes, counting down to Sunday’s 9 am-5 pm shutdown from Harbor Ave/California Way to Alki Ave/63rd SW:
–The day begins, of course, with the first-ever West Seattle 5K (WSB sponsor; you can still register online)
—Cascade Bicycle Club now has its full schedule of events for the day online (including kids’ bike parades at 1 and 3 pm); see the schedule here.
—Coastal has announced its “Rockin’ Surf Stage” lineup, with a mini skate ramp and live music; see the poster, with band names and times, here.
—CoolMom will have a booth offering face painting and a puppet show
—Sustainable West Seattle will be nearby, with bike-maintenance demos and more
—Full Tilt Ice Cream tells us they’ll have a special bike out and about – one of many small surprises we expect to see on shutdown day
–Informational displays are planned too – including the King County Wastewater Treatment Division planning a display near the site of the 53rd Avenue Pump Project, with updates on how that project is going (now in its second year and scheduled for completion this fall).
We’ll keep the daily updates going through Sunday, at which time we will of course report “live” from the shutdown zone as we did last year. If there’s information you’re looking for and not finding, please write a comment (or e-mail us: editor@westseattleblog.com) – after last night’s report, for example, there was a question about how those with disabilities would be accommodated – here’s the comment, followed by the reply we obtained from the city.
West Seattle gets another Alaskan Way Viaduct/Tunnel meeting
If you want to know more about what’s happening with the Alaskan Way Viaduct/Tunnel project – and/or if you’ve got something to say about the way things are going – mark June 10th on your calendar. That’s just been announced as the date for the next “scoping” meeting for the project in West Seattle, 6-8 pm 6/10 at the Madison Middle School commons. The specific purpose of the meeting is explained as follows: “(Y)ou will be able to ask questions and share your thoughts on what environmental elements and mitigation measures should be studied in the supplemental draft environmental impact statement on the proposed bored tunnel alternative.” If you can’t go, SDEIS2ScopingComments@wsdot.wa.gov is the place to e-mail your comments.
“Summer Streets” on Alki this Sunday: The practical details
(September 2008 photo)
Last year, it was “Car-Free Day” and it was in September; this year, it’s “Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets” and it’s in May (three weeks before summer technically kicks in). Whatever you call it, this Sunday is the day when most of Harbor/Alki will be closed to most vehicles – from California Way to 63rd SW – and there are some changes this year, so we checked with the city this afternoon regarding some of the practical details. Here’s our Q/A – the questions were asked by WSB, the answers are from SDOT:
Q (TR from WSB): Will there be robo-calls again this year?
A (Dawn Schellenberg, SDOT): To help make sure everybody knows about the Alki Seattle Summer Streets and invite them to participate, approximately 1,500 calls to businesses and residents in and adjacent to Alki Avenue SW between 63rd Avenue SW and California Way SW are scheduled to go out Wednesday, between 5 and 8 PM.
Q: When will no-parking signs go up?
A: No Parking signs are scheduled to arrive Wednesday. Cars parked along Alki within the event area will be fliered Wednesday evening notifying them of the event and making them aware of the parking restrictions.
Read on for yet more Q/A: Read More
Reminder: Parking restrictions for Fauntleroy work start today
Thanks to Sue for that photo of the no-parking signs up along the northernmost stretch of the Fauntleroy Way repaving zone, where the city had planned to start work today (we’re heading back out shortly to check what is or isn’t going on). While the entirety of the project will run from roughly SW Edmunds to SW Holly, the first round of restrictions is posted for Edmunds to SW Findlay, today through June 15th. Here’s our report from last week with details of the plan for the start of construction (with more details on the repaving and “rechannelization” that will happen as part of the project, as first announced by the city late last year).
Also from Alki Community Council: “Summer Streets” day update
The police discussion detailed here (with more to come later today) took up most of the Alki Community Council‘s meeting last night, but there also was a quick update on “Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets,” formerly known as Car-Free Day, coming to Alki 9 am-5 pm Sunday, May 31st – one week from this Sunday. As we’ve mentioned before, the first part of the day involves the first-ever West Seattle 5K (WSB sponsor) – a run/walk to raise money for local public schools (register here). Then, from roughly noon till 5 pm, Alki will be open for walkers, runners, bicyclists, skateboarders, etc., between 63rd SW and California Way – a few blocks longer, on the east end, than last year:
View Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets 2009 Alki in a larger map
The city spokesperson at Thursday night’s meeting said that like last year, a lane would be open for “residents-only” motorized traffic. He also said no one would be towed (as was the case last year – warnings were issued early in the day and ultimately most violating vehicles cleared out). The list of planned activities and displays continues to lengthen – you can see it on the official event website. A couple Alki residents noted resignedly at the Thursday night meeting that while the waterfront boulevard itself may be mostly “car-free,” people still drive to get to the event, and fill up side-street parking as a result.
Update on Fauntleroy Way repaving/reconfiguration project
Work on the multimillion-dollar project to repave and reconfigure a long stretch of Fauntleroy Way is scheduled to start next week, and area residents have just gotten a new flyer with the latest specifics on what it’ll be like for area driving – thanks to Sue for sending the flyer so we could share it with anyone and everyone who drives the stretch slated for repaving over the next few months (south from SW Alaska, to SW Holly in Morgan Junction). See the flyer here. ADDED 1:29 PM: Sue wondered how bus service would be affected and followed up with Metro SDOT – here’s the reply she received:
There will not be any changes to transit operations that we are aware of. At certain times and locations, temporary bus zone relocations may occur. If temporary bus zones relocations are necessary, Metro Transit will put out advance notice.
ADDED 4:30 PM: The city has now issued its official news release announcing that work will start Tuesday – read on:Read More
Alki Point sidewalk project update: “Slower than anticipated”
Catching that view of the “traffic calming feature” taking shape at 63rd/Alki last weekend, we thought it was time to check on progress of the Alki Point sidewalk project that it’s part of, now that construction’s been under way for two months. Here’s the progress report we procured from SDOT’s Therese Casper:
Construction of the sidewalk along Alki Ave SW has been progressing. However, it has been slower than originally anticipated due to utility relocations including a gas line and utility replacement including a portion of the existing storm drain at the southern end of the project area. In addition, water meter adjustments took longer than expected.
The raised crosswalk at the eastern end of the project area is complete as well as the sidewalk to Point Place SW. The remaining sidewalk will be poured Thursday and Friday. All major elements should be complete by early June with a few locations remaining in construction as final utility work is done.
The project was initiated as part of the Neighborhood Street Fund, and drew some controversy in the neighborhood after it finally won a grant, mostly out of concerns that many waterfront residences would lose parking, but SDOT came up with a plan that in the end took away far fewer spaces than originally feared (here’s our report on the pre-construction project-site tour in February, with more information on the project’s scope).
More details on Restricted Parking Zone public hearing next week
If you have something to say about the changes proposed in the city’s Restricted (formerly Residential) Parking Zone program, here are more details on the public hearing next Wednesday night (mentioned in this report yesterday) that will focus on how the City Council wants to amend the original proposal. It’ll be at City Hall downtown at 5:30 pm; read on for the official announcement, including details on the changes councilmembers want to make:Read More
2 parking notes: RPZ proposal change; Junction parking meeting
RPZ PROPOSAL: The City Council’s Transportation Committee took a look today at the proposed changes to the Restricted (formerly Residential) Parking Zone rules – changes that have drawn concern from some West Seattle neighborhood leaders. Admiral Neighborhood Association vice president Jim Del Ciello was among those who spoke at today’s hearing, as the Seattle Post-Globe reports, while also noting that councilmembers made a few tweaks, such as lowering the percentage of non-resident cars that have to be noted in a neighborhood for RPZ consideration (the original proposal said 50%, councilmembers want 35%). A public hearing is set at City Hall next Wednesday, May 27th. Next update focuses on Junction parking of all kinds:
JUNCTION PARKING COMMITTEE MEETING: The Junction Neighborhood Organization has been hoping to get an RPZ designation for part of its area, in the city’s Junction parking review that’s under way now (photo above is from our coverage of the second “walking tour” back in March). Last night, the next step in that review took place, with the first meeting of the Junction Parking Committee. Members received the latest timeline for the parking-review process:
Meeting 1: May 2009 – Overview of parking project and committee
Meeting 2: July 2009 – Review of preliminary parking study results and on-street parking tools, including bicycle, motorcycle and scooter parking
Meeting 3: September 2009 – Review of final parking study results and off-street parking, including city policies, Junction off-street lots, park and rides
Meeting 4: November 2009 – Draft preliminary recommendations and Transit & TDM, including RapidRide, In Motion
Meeting 5: January 2010 – Draft final recommendations
Meeting 6: March 2010 – Announce final plan and prepare for implementation
This is the same process first announced more than a year ago (original February 2008 WSB report here), which could result in new parking policies for The Junction, possibly even on-street pay stations.
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