Streetcar Construction Notice by SLUFAN

What's New in SLU?

September 27, 2007

Streetcar Construction Notice

SLUFAN

In conjunction with upcoming completion of the new Seattle Streetcar line in South Lake Union, Westlake

Avenue between Blanchard Street and Valley Street permanently changed from one-way to two-way operations. This change took place on Sunday September 9^th at 5:00 p.m.

This segment of Westlake Avenue was converted from four northbound travel lanes to two northbound and two southbound lanes of traffic.

Several new left turn pockets were established at Valley Street, Mercer Street, Republican Street, and Denny Street. On-street parking is available on both sides of Westlake Avenue between Republican Street and Denny Way.

The conversion of two-way Westlake Avenue includes a number of benefits:

Improved business access and pedestrian environment – the two-way street will provide more circulation options and create a calmer traffic street that will be more pleasant for pedestrians.
Improved pedestrian safety – The project includes new crosswalk striping and crossing signals, and new, accessible pedestrian ramps.
Enhanced transit service – two-way operations will allow the Seattle Streetcar to provide a direct connection between South Lake Union and the downtown core. Additional, Metro plans to re-route southbound travel of the Route 17 bus from 9th Avenue to Westlake Avenue, further centralizing transit service to the core of the neighborhood.

Over the last six months, crews have been working to revise traffic signals and signage and upgrade pedestrian ramps. Crews worked up to September 9th to make the necessary traffic revisions.

The contractor re-striped Westlake Avenue previous to September 9th. As part of the re-striping plan, a solid white line 7.5’ from the curb marks areas where on-street parking is permitted. When Seattle Streetcar vehicle testing begins in early October, it will be important to remember that you must park your vehicle within that line to allow room for the Streetcar to pass. Vehicles that are not entirely within the solid white line may receive a ticket or get impounded. Loading zones on Westlake Avenue will be relocated to side streets to accommodate larger vehicles and deliveries in areas along the Seattle Streetcar route.

For more information, please contact Josh Stepherson from the Seattle Department of Transportation at (206) 684-3136.

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