West Seattle, Washington
21 Wednesday
SDOT says it’s expecting to keep that section of sidewalk, on the west side of Highland Park Way SW between SW Holden St and SW Portland St., closed through Friday, September 8th. The notice says they’re rebuilding the sidewalk, with new curb ramps and a curb bulb, as part of the Highland Park Way/Holden Safety Project, which won’t be completely done until early next year.
Updates today on three West Seattle stairways, present and future:
BONAIR/HALLECK WORK: Thanks to Desiree for the tip on this. If you use this stairway in upper Alki, note that tree/vegetation work is set to start Wednesday.
(SDOT photo)
The stairway will be closed during the work, according to the official construction notice. It’s expected to last up to two days. SDOT‘s Greg Funk says this is prep work before the stairway is rebuilt (which is also awaiting a separate project – Seattle City Light needs to move the pole at the bottom of the stairway).
BRANDON CONSTRUCTION: This under-construction stairway between 21st and 23rd, a block east of the Delridge Library, has caught a lot of attention:
(WSB photo)
This isn’t an SDOT project – the developer of an adjacent house-building project was required to build it as a condition of the project permit. But, SDOT’s Funk tells us, it will be turned over to the city when complete. One feature that not all stairways have: As requested by at least one community member, this will have “runnels” so that bicycles can be pushed up/down the stairway. As for its status, Funk says, “The bike runnels have been formed and poured and the contractor is working on forming and pouring stair treads. No ETA on completion but October for concrete work and then another month for rail.”
CALIFORNIA DRIVE: This stairway project in Fauntleroy “is almost complete,” Funk says. “SDOT crews are installing the permanent rail this week.”
(WSB photo, last week – crane is for repairs from last year’s Cathlamet crash)
1:42 PM: Thanks for the tip! A reader noticed over the weekend that the website for the Fauntleroy ferry-dock/terminal replacement project had two major updates of interest to anyone watching the $100 million project:
First, almost a year after the last time Washington State Ferries convened the community advisory group for the project, a meeting is set for this fall: It’s not until October 25th, but you can sign up already for the link (which means you’ll get reminders). The signup link – as well as dates for October meetings of the project’s other two advisory groups – can be found on this page. For a refresher, Here’s our report from the group’s last meeting in September 2022, when WSF announced it had ruled out widening the dock when it’s rebuilt.
Second, the published timeline for the project also has been extended. Design/construction of the new terminal had long been projected for “the 2025-2027 biennium.” Now, that’s the time frame listed for formal environmental review, while design/construction isn’t expected before 2027-2029. We have followup questions out to WSF, including the reason for the delay, and we’ll update when we hear back.
4:02 PM: WSF spokesperson Hadley Rodero responded to our questions – first, what will the next round of advisory-group meetings address?
Since our last update, the WSF team has been working to develop detailed project alternatives and screening criteria, gather traffic data, and collaborate with partner agencies. The planning process is taking us longer than we anticipated when we last met with the CAG in September 2022, but we will have several updates to share this fall, including a review of the full set of project alternatives, draft screening criteria and updates on our planning process and project schedule.
We also asked why the timeline has been pushed back. Rodero’s reply:
As mentioned above, the planning process is taking longer than expected. Initially scheduled for completion in 2023, the PEL process will now be finished in 2025 and will include selection of a preferred alternative. The original project timeline came from the 2040 Long Range Plan that identified the 2025-2027 biennium as the start of project construction. Through the current planning process and alternatives development effort we’ve identified the 2027-2029 biennium as the estimated timeframe for completion of design and start of construction. This is reflected in current project funding. We are still fairly early in the process, however, so, depending on which alternative is selected, the project delivery method and permitting/approvals, the timeline could shift.
We also asked about a study discussed at the September 2022 meeting, regarding whether Good To Go passes might work at the new terminal. The timeline given then suggested the study should have been completed by now. It’s not, Rodero says; an in-progress update will be presented at the October meetings but the full study won’t be complete until early next year.
12:35 PM: The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route has been down to one boat so far today due to what WSF describes as “a shortage of crew,” and Washington State Ferries has no ETA for the return of a second boat. If you’re going, note that they’re following the #1 boat schedule (linked in the ferry-alert roundup), and use Vessel Watch to check the boat’s location while you wait.
2:30 PM: WSF says it’s back to two boats. However, the South Vashon (Tahlequah-Point Defiance) run will go out of service starting late this afternoon, so that’s likely to put extra pressure on this route
We’ve heard from three readers about a hazardous “pothole” on the West Seattle Bridge, so we’re sharing the heads-up, in advance of checking with SDOT tomorrow about repair plans. Mike was first to describe it:
Heads up for drivers headed Eastbound on the West Seattle Bridge. There’s missing pavement in the right lane at the curve high above Avalon. It appears that this is occurring in the newly grooved pavement as you head to the Bridge proper. For now you can drive around it but since it’s on the curve the hazard comes up quickly.
There are multiple ways to report problems like this on city streets and structures – SDOT’s hotline is 206-684-ROAD; an online reporting form is linked here, as is the city’s map of what’s been reported and/or fixed recently – which shows work is “pending” on this one.
Just announced by SDOT: The city is adding three new traffic-enforcement cameras, and one of them will be for bus-lane violations on the West Seattle Bridge (the other two will be downtown block-the-box cameras). From the announcement:
… The new cameras will allow the city to collect a larger data set for a more robust analysis of the impact and effectiveness of these types of automated enforcement programs. The city expects to install the cameras at the three identified locations at the beginning of September. There will be a 30-day warning period to ensure the public has adequate notice to learn the rules of the road. … The locations were selected due to the large volume of pedestrians present combined with a high rate of observed violations by drivers.
This is part of a “pilot program” resulting from legislative authorization of more uses for automated enforcement cameras. Separate from the one-month grace period, the city says, first-time violators will get a warning letter, and $75 tickets after that. Where does the money go? The announcement notes:
Under state law, half of the net revenue from the traffic cameras will go to a Washington Traffic Safety Commission fund for bicycle and pedestrian safety projects, and the other half of the net revenue must be used to build safety and mobility improvements for people with disabilities in Seattle. SDOT plans to invest this in building more accessible walk signals which vibrate and make a noise to let people with limited vision or hearing know when it is safe to cross the street.
As with other automated enforcement cameras – like school-zone speeding and red-light running – the announcement notes, “To protect privacy, the cameras will only record vehicle license plates and not the people inside the car. The photos are only intended to be used for enforcing the bus lane and blocking the box laws, and are not intended for other law enforcement action.”
6:06 PM: Three and a half weeks after we reported
speed humps/cushions were on the way to SW Thistle and other streets around the Sealth/Denny campus, installation has begun. We noticed the fresh asphalt protrusions while headed eastbound on Thistle a bit earlier. It appeared the eastbound installation was further along than the westbound side.
8:11 PM: Going back the other way, we were able to see that the sets on Thistle are complete. We weren’t able to check 27th, 25th, or Kenyon.
That was the traffic-camera view – with an arrow drawn by SDOT – when a crew was out Wednesday morning during peak commute time, doing emergency repairs on a pothole on the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct. (That’s the bridge between 99 and I-5.) This reminded us of what we reported in May, when discussion of the huge hole in the state-owned ramp from the bridge to 99 put the spotlight back on the SSV’s condition. When SDOT got a $5 million grant last year for resurfacing eastbound SSV, there was a vague timeline of “the next few years”; then in May, they said it would likely move up to 2024. This week, SDOT spokesperson Mariam Ali confirmed that: “It is currently in design and expected to go to construction next year. The project is to remove the existing deteriorating concrete overlay along the eastbound lanes just east of SR 99 overpass to around 6th Ave S and placement of a new overlay.” The eastern side of the SSV is the older side, dating back to the ’40s, while the western side was built a little over a decade ago. It was closed several times for repair work during the 2 1/2-year-long full closure of the West Seattle Bridge west of 99.
(July photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
With one of only two state-ferry docks in the city of Seattle – the only one in a primarily residential neighborhood – West Seattle has a unique role in the system. So Washington State Ferries is hoping you’ll answer a survey about when, how, and where you use its boats. It’s part of a passenger-demographic study that WSF plans to send to the state Legislature in December. You can take the survey in English or in Spanish. This survey is open through the end of the month.
ADDED FRIDAY: The phone option is working now – 877-586-1133.
Thanks to Susan for the tip. The crane at the Fauntleroy ferry dock is there for another phase of repairs after the damage done when the ferry Cathlamet crashed into a terminal structure called a “dolphin” one year ago. The July 28, 2022, crash was blamed by Washington State Ferries on “human error”; the captain retired immediately afterward and has never spoken publicly about it. The dolphin underwent temporary repairs but now the permanent work is being done. We asked WSF spokesperson Ian Sterling about it; his reply: “The work to do the permanent repair to the dolphin is expected to take several weeks to complete and includes setting new piling for last July’s damaged dolphin (between fabrication and fish windows, this couldn’t have happened sooner), and some other routine maintenance while at the terminal. American Construction is the contractor. The work is not expected to have a big effect on customers.” Damage to the boat and dock were estimated at nearly $8 million.
Next Sunday on the Constellation Park side of the Alki Point Healthy Street (63rd/Beach), a special event is planned by the organization Outdoors for All, which provides options for people with disabilities to ride bikes. We’re spotlighting the announcement today in case you haven’t yet seen it in our Event Calendar:
We will be hosting a free adaptive bike demonstration for people with disabilities at Constellation Park/ Beach Drive Healthy Street on Sunday, August 6 from 10 am-2 pm.
We have all sorts of adaptive bikes available including recumbent trikes, hand-powered cycles, and tandems – we can get almost anyone on a bike!
More info: outdoorsforall.org or email taylorm@outdoorsforall.org
In partnership with SDOT, Outdoors for All offers free adaptive bike/trike rentals May through September from its headquarters in North Seattle – here’s more info on that.
More than a year and a half after Terminal 5 started accepting cargo shipments at its first modernized berth, a long-delayed related project is finally starting construction. SDOT sent a notice today announcing that work is expected to start next week for the railroad “Quiet Zone” that once was intended to be in place before the berth opened. (This new announcement is four months after SDOT had last said construction was imminent.) Here’s SDOT’s summary of the “Quiet Zone”:
The project, located along W Marginal Way SW from Chelan Ave SW to SW Dakota St, aims to reduce train horn usage in this area by building a new traffic signal; closing some railroad crossings; and upgrading safety equipment at other railroad crossings. The project will also provide safe and accessible ways for people biking/walking to access destinations near Terminal 5 and will include building a bike/pedestrian mixed use trail along West Marginal Way SW where there is currently no sidewalk.
According to the notice, most work will be done on weekdays, and there will be some “temporary lane closures” on West Marginal, as well as some temporary parking restrictions. SDOT told us back in March that construction would last about a year, and the contractor is Merlino Construction.
(Added: WSB photos)
12:01 PM: Thanks for the tip. The Fauntleroy ferry dock is full and the offloading/loading of M/V Kittitas is delayed because of a problem with the apron, according to what we’re told at the dock. Terminal workers tell us it’s being worked on. Updates to come.
12:05 PM: To be more specific, we’re told it’s a power problem with the apron. It’s just been announced at the dock that an electrician has arrived but they don’t have an ETA for how soon this will be fixed.
12:16 PM: The Kittitas has left Fauntleroy headed back to Vashon since there’s no ETA, and cars waiting at Fauntleroy are being allowed to turn around and leave the dock.
12:21 PM: WSF has finally officially issued a bulletin about this, saying only, “The Fauntleroy Terminal in west Seattle is out of service until further notice due to necessary maintenance.”
(Latest image from WSF camera at dock)
1:19 PM: The empty Kittitas has returned to wait at Fauntleroy. Meantime, WSF is detouring boats to downtown: “Seattle-bound traffic from Vashon or Southworth will be diverted to Pier 52 to off-load. But traffic bound for Vashon will not be loaded at Pier 52.”
2 PM: The Kittitas has left again, apparently to be put into service on the diverted runs that will head from Vashon/Southworth to downtown. No updates on repair progress.
2:40 PM: WSF says repairs were “successful” and the Fauntleroy dock is in service again:
Operations out of the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal have resumed following successful repairs to the terminal bridge. Though the route will return to service, customers should anticipate longer than usual waits due to increased traffic. Boats are still attempting to move as much traffic and get back into position as quickly as possible …
Though it’s not mentioned in that update, Vessel Watch showed a third boat, M/V Issaquah, was summoned into service, at least temporarily.
2:53 PM: The King County Water Taxi is adding a run from downtown to Vashon at 3:30 pm to help with the backlog.
Our inbox suggests the citywide excitement over this weekend’s sold-out Taylor Swift concerts at Lumen Field is more intense than what preceded last week’s All-Star Game. So, two notes:
EXTRA WATER TAXI AND RAPIDRIDE RUNS: Transit services are adding more runs for Saturday and Sunday, including Metro buses and the West Seattle Water Taxi. The WT will add 11:45 pm and 12:15 am runs from Pier 50 downtown both nights, and Metro has a special shuttle that will take concertgoers to the dock, as well as (updated) added C and H Line service.
YOUNGSTOWN COFFEE: The coffee crew at 6030 California SW is stoked. Here’s their announcement:
In celebration of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour coming to Seattle this weekend, Youngstown will be running a special Taylor’s Version menu and giveaway! Our menu and contest is running now through July 23rd (Taylor’s final night in Seattle) and a winner will be chosen that evening.
Prizes include Speak Now tay’s version CD, Youngstown gift card for $25, Youngstown t-shirt, and sticker. To enter, visit our shop and purchase any drink off of our Diva Summer or Taylor’s Version menus and get one entry form.
Washington State Ferries says the #2 boat on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run will tie up for the rest of today/tonight after its current run, because of a crew shortage – so it’s only running the #1 boat until further notice. (Check Vessel Watch for current location(s) – the #1 vessel, which will keep running, is M/V Kittitas.)
While traveling on SW Thistle between 35th and Delridge this week, we noticed three sets of markings that appeared to outline future speed humps. So we asked SDOT whether this was a continuation of the Westwood-area work that so far has included a new four-way stop at 25th/Trenton. Spokesperson Ethan Bergerson says this is specifically tied to safety for Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School, and that the markings we saw on SW Thistle won’t be the only ones added – they’re planning four on Thistle as well as others on 26th, 27th, and Kenyon, as shown on this map:
That’s from Denny_ChiefSealth_TrafficCalming_Postcard (002) (2) that Bergerson says SDOT sent to residents nearby. As it notes, the ones for SW Thistle are actually speed cushions – the difference is explained as “Speed cushions are like speed humps but have breaks that allow emergency vehicles to pass through them without slowing down.” No installation timeline yet.
Those lane closures that were supposed to happen last night for West Seattle Bridge maintenance work didn’t happen after all, SDOT says, due to crew availability. So all the work is supposed to be done tonight. It’s scheduled to start as early as 9 pm and be completed no later than 5 am, with one lane open each way in the work zone
(Map of where SDOT was considering medians and a raised crossing)
Three weeks ago, we reported that SDOT was proposing landscaped medians in a stretch of West Marginal Way SW and asking for feedback. This afternoon, they say the idea of medians and a raised crossing has been “paused” as a result of what they heard. Here’s the announcement:
After gathering initial feedback on Phase 2 of the West Marginal Way SW Safety Corridor Improvements project, we have decided to pause on moving forward with the proposed median islands. We have decided to wait until after we have completed a post-project evaluation on Phase 1 of the project, which included installing a protected bike lane (PBL) and pavement markings and signs at the Duwamish Trail crossings, to determine what next steps are needed.
We have determined that is important to highlight the trail crossing across SW Front Street (near the Highland Park Way SW intersection) to increase visibility and safety, but we heard concerns about how a raised trail crossing may impact freight movement. Therefore, we are planning to look at other options, like pavement markings or green paint, to delineate the Duwamish Trail.
Next steps:
· Design a non-raised option for the Duwamish Trail crossing on West Marginal Way SW at SW Front St.
· Conduct a project evaluation of the PBL and Duwamish Trail crossing improvements with input from West Marginal Way SW stakeholders, including local businesses, trail and bike lane users, and the freight community.
· Collaborate with stakeholders to determine next steps based on the data findings.
We appreciate all the feedback we have received and will continue to seek input and share information along the way.
Back in April 2020, SDOT announced West Seattle’s first “Stay Healthy Street,” in High Point and vicinity. Now it’s planning to downsize. Here’s the announcement sent this afternoon, with word of a chance to talk with SDOT about it next week:
Over the last year we’ve been doing additional reviews and updating our Healthy Streets across Seattle based on community use trends and public feedback. For the High Point Healthy Street, we plan to remove the Healthy Street designation for some of the route while making another section permanent.
Permanent: Segment A – on 34th Ave SW, between SW Holden St and SW Graham St – is proposed to become a permanent Healthy Street. We plan to install permanent signage with a concrete block base and new painted curb space around it at each intersection. There is an option to replace the concrete base with a planter barrel if a neighbor wants to maintain it. Our Healthy Streets webpage has more information about adopting a planter.
Removal: We will be removing Segments B, C, and D and returning them back to a Neighborhood Greenway.
Segment B – SW Graham St, between 34th Ave SW and High Point Dr SW
Segment C – High Point Dr SW, between SW Graham St and Sylvan Way SW
Segment D – SW Holly St, between 34th Ave SW and 31 Ave SW
Please see the map (above) for your reference on the segments.Join us June 27 for an Open House. We will have light refreshments to share and staff will be available to listen to your feedback regarding this update.
When: Tuesday, June 27, between 5:30 pm-7 pm
Where: High Point Neighborhood House, 6400 Sylvan Way SW, Room 207
They’re also asking your opinion on what type of permanent signage a Healthy Street should get – this SDOT photo shows the two “main options,” planter or signpost:
More info on the options is here. Meantime, we’ll be following up with SDOT Monday on whether other Healthy Streets are in for changes.
Thanks to Kay for the photo and tip from Highland Park Way/Holden. She reported that no-parking signs had gone up for “Monday through mid-July,” and wondered if this meant the start of improvements at the intersection including the permanent signal replacing the temporary one that went up days after the West Seattle Bridge closed. Not yet, says SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson:
Crews are planning to visit the intersection this month to verify where underground utilities are located so that we can confirm the exact location to install the new traffic signal poles. This will involve digging and then re-filling some small holes in the ground so that we can get a better look at what’s underneath the pavement.
We’re still working out the timeline for the installation of both the art and the signal poles. The biggest unknown right now is the supply chain timeline for signal poles, as the delivery date is outside of our control and it often takes a while to obtain this part. Once the signal poles arrive and are installed in the ground, the final step will be to work with Seattle City Light to hook up power so that the new traffic signal can be turned on.
The art to which he referred is this – a giant Steller’s Jay.
4:47 PM: Thanks for the tip! That’s one of two new stop signs on 44th SW where it meets SW Findlay [map]. This is just west of California/Findlay, where SDOT installed a pedestrian-activated “half-signal” last October. The reader who emailed us about this earlier today said “yield” signs had been there previously, adding, “Not sure why the change – no recent increase in accidents or near-misses. Also, when traveling north on 44th, the new stop sign is obscured by a tree.” Same tree that’s in our photo, but the sign only comes into view when you arrive right up to it. We have a question out to SDOT about the rationale for the installation.
6:50 PM: SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson responded, “This was a standalone project. The new stop sign is intended to enhance safety and provide clarity for people traveling through this intersection.”
SDOT is looking for feedback on a new proposal for part of West Marginal Way SW: landscaped medians:
We are seeking input on proposed landscaped median islands and a raised crosswalk. We are looking to understand driveway operations that would inform the median island size and feasibility.
Here’s the notice with information on proposed locations and how to comment. The deadline is June 20. SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson also says they’re planning to evaluate the recently installed protected bike lane and “other safety elements” this summer.
Thanks for all the tips! Multiple emails alerted us to the new all-way stop configuration for 25th/Trenton, with marked crosswalks, on the northeast edge of Westwood Village. We asked SDOT about it; their reply: “This is a new all-way stop. The goal is to improve safety for everyone but especially pedestrians. There are a relatively large number of pedestrians crossing, including high school and middle school students. The new stop signs will also help transit make the left turn from Trenton to 25th.” It’s been five years since pathway improvements were built just north of the intersection.
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