Work on the first phase of the Central Area Neighborhood Greenway is underway creating new bike route markings, new stop signs and better pedestrian crossings along a route connecting 21st, 22nd, and 25th Ave from John to Jackson. You’ll note that SDOT is also adding “approximately” one speed hump per block on the route.

CHS included the work in our list of transit projects to look forward to in 2015. The “Hybrid” option for a bicycle and pedestrian friendly parallel to the 23rd Ave corridor will begin at I-90 and pass up through the Central District along 26th and 25th Ave before a jog over to 22nd north across E Madison to Capitol Hill. Through a mix of signage, pavement markings, speed bumps, roundabouts and other traffic-calming features, the route will complement a $46 million overhaul of 23rd Ave. When complete, the 23rd Avenue greenway is likely to be the longest greenway in the city.

Seattle Bike Blog says the first phase of work is slated to be wrapped up later this winter. SBB also provides insights on some of the most important bike and pedestrian work still to come to make the greenway a reality.

If the plan doesn’t get mucked up for the northern end of the route, the area should connect nicely to Montlake’s bicycle and pedestrian resources included in the Seattle-side 520 replacement project.

Updates and more here:

Phase 1 runs between E. John Street and S. Jackson Street along 21st Avenue E, 22nd Avenue E, and 25th Avenue S. Installation elements include:

• Bicycle pavement markings
• Stop signs on all streets crossing the greenway
• Flashing beacons for pedestrians and bicyclists at arterial crossings: 25th Avenue S and E Yesler Way; 25th Avenue S and E Cherry Street
• Enhanced pedestrian traffic signal at 22nd Avenue E and E Union
• Approximately one speed hump per block on the route

This work will necessitate some temporary on-street parking restrictions, pedestrian and cyclist detours, and some light construction noise. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained except when temporary restrictions are necessary. Normal work hours will be 9 AM to 4 PM. Installation is expected to be complete in late Winter 2015.

UPDATE 2/25/2015: Depending on your definition of “begins,” you might want to mark a different start date for the actual work on the project. SDOT says that the contractor’s work is *now* underway:

Central Area Neighborhood Greenway installation begins

SEATTLE –A contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation began work today on Phase 1 of the Central Area Neighborhood Greenway. The contractor expects to complete this phase of the project by spring, enabling Central Area residents of all ages and abilities to enjoy a calmer and safer route to walk and ride bikes. This phase of the greenway will run between East John Street and South Jackson Street on residential streets parallel to 23^rd Avenue, including stretches of 25^th Avenue, 22^nd Avenue, and 21^st Avenue East.

Much of the work to be done involves the repair or upgrade of curb ramps and sidewalks where the neighborhood greenway crosses arterial streets. Crews will work south to north, one intersection at a time, at the following locations:

• 25^th Avenue  and East Yesler Way
• 25^th Avenue  and East Cherry Street
• 25^th Avenue  and East Columbia Street
• 22^nd Avenue  and East Madison Street
• 21^st Avenue East and East John Street

One of four crosswalks at each intersection will be closed during ramp construction. Typical working hours will be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

Other elements of Phase 1 greenway implementation include bicycle pavement markings on the route, stop signs on streets crossing the greenway, and approximately one speed hump per block. Flashing beacons for pedestrians and bicycles will be installed at 25^th Avenue and East and Yesler Way and also at 25^th Avenue and East Cherry Street. An enhanced pedestrian traffic signal will be located at 22^nd Avenue and East Union Street.

SDOT expects all phases of the Central Area Neighborhood Greenway project will be completed by the end of the year, extending the route from East Roanoke Street to Rainier Avenue South on residential streets parallel to 23^rdAvenue.

Neighborhood greenways are residential streets made safer and calmer for people of all ages and abilities to walk and ride bikes. Greenways can provide access to schools, trails, parks, transit, and neighborhood businesses. For more information on the Central Area Neighborhood Greenway, please see the project web page. Also, see a map of Seattle’s completed and planned neighborhood greenways.