Already delayed by the city’s backlog of street improvement projects from a plan for a start of construction last summer, work on the Melrose Promenade project is finally underway. But there are more construction delays to come.
The city says the ongoing concrete workers’ strike will mean work on many key elements of the planned overhaul will have to wait.
“No Park” signs have gone up in work areas along the route and work is beginning on drainage and electrical systems near Melrose Ave and E Pine.
“This work will be noisy at times and will have short-term, temporary travel lane and parking impacts,” SDOT says. Next, trimming of vegetation and the removal of some trees along the route will come.
CHS last reported on the Melrose Ave pedestrian and biking overhaul a year ago when construction was being planned for a summer 2021 start. Now, with a contractor finally selected, work is beginning on the parts of the project crews can move forward on while the concrete strike continues.
The changes coming to Melrose include a redesigned intersection at E Olive Way with a new signalized crosswalk on the west end of Melrose as the Seattle Department of Transportation reconfigures the I-5 on-ramp. New protected bike lanes between Denny and Pine are hoped to improve safety on Melrose. They will be one-way lanes on each side of the street protected with plastic posts and pavement markings. These lanes going north and south will also serve as a connection to the couplets on Pike and Pine between Second Ave and Melrose currently being designed.
The total project budget for the Melrose Promenade including design and construction is $4.3 million including a $3 million grant through the Federal Highway Administration. Construction is expected to continue into the fall. You can learn more and sign up for updates on the project webpage.
Street notes
- E Pine closure: A block of E Pine will be closed to traffic for about two weeks as crews install storm utility pipes along the route of the Madison bus rapid transit project. The block between 15th and 16th has been shut down for the work expected to last about eight weeks. SDOT says crews must excavate deep under the street with special equipment and trenches. The work is part of construction planned over the coming years to overhaul the Madison corridor from the waterfront to Madison Valley as the new RapidRide G line.
- Seattle Transportation Plan: A long term planning process to set high level goals for the city’s sidewalks and streets is beginning:
The STP will be a vision for the future of our transportation system in Seattle, reflecting what we have seen and heard from you. We will build relationships with and listen closely to people who have not historically had a seat at the transportation planning table to shape our future transportation system. This includes people who continue to experience the most significant transportation inequities – such as Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities; people living in poverty; immigrant communities and people who do not speak English at home; young people; older adults; and people with disabilities.
Part of the city’s process to update its Comprehensive Plan, the Seattle Transportation Plan effort is, of course, beginning with a survey. You can take the survey and learn more about the process here.
- East Capitol Hill RPZ: The city is gathering feedback about a proposed Restricted Parking Zone along 19th Ave E. The proposed area for the new zone would extend from E Prospect to E Madison and between 19th and 23rd and includes the streets around a collection of 19th Ave E restaurants and shops — including new project Money Frog, coming soon — and the Holy Names Academy. CHS reported on the proposal here. SDOT will collect survey results and feedback through March 25th and says it will make a decision on presenting the final RPZ proposal or holding a public hearing on the zone by this spring or summer.
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