Washington Middle School Connection
Updated September 14, 2023
What's Happening Now?
We are currently in the process of updating curb ramps at 21st Ave and E Alder St, and at 21st Ave and E Terrace St. Later this year, we will pave between E James St and E Spruce St. We will also add speed humps and new signage along the Neighborhood Greenway. Construction is expected to be completed by early 2024.
Previous work updated curb ramps and marked crosswalks at E Yesler Way, E Jefferson St, and E Cherry St, and paved sections of 21st Ave S.
Project Overview
The Washington Middle School Connection (21st Ave) Neighborhood Greenway will enhance safe access for students walking and biking to Washington Middle School. It will also connect residents to local parks and businesses as well as the citywide transportation network. It will connect with the existing Central Area North-South Neighborhood Greenway, the existing Central Area East-West Neighborhood Greenway at E Columbia St, the Central Ridge Neighborhood Greenway (under construction), and the S King St Neighborhood Greenway (under construction). The new neighborhood greenway will bring affordable, active transportation options for people of all ages and abilities.
This work will be done in three phases.
· Phase one (as early as spring 2020): Installation of improvements at key crossings, including some interim paint and post improvements
· Phase two (as early as summer 2020): Replacement of paint and post improvements with permanent improvements
· Phase three (as early as 2021): Installation of neighborhood greenway route improvements including speed humps, wayfinding signs, and pavement markings
Project Background
In winter of 2018, the Safe Routes to School program worked with parents and students at Washington Middle School to identify a Neighborhood Greenway route to serve students who currently bike to school along 21st Ave. This Neighborhood Greenway coincides with the Seattle Parks and Recreation Greenways Initiative. Starting in 2016, Seattle Parks and Recreation Greenways Initiative provides projects and programs to connect, enhance and activate links from Neighborhood Greenways to Parks by improving access and amenities for pedestrians and bicycles. The new Neighborhood Greenway will connect to the planned Seattle Parks and Recreation Central Park Trail (Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park and Judkins Park) project. This initiative will make repairs to the pathway in the Dr. Blanche Lavizzo park to improve safety for bicyclists.
What is a Neighborhood Greenway?
Neighborhood greenways are safer, calmer residential streets for you, your family, and neighbors. We make people walking and biking the priority.
Neighborhood greenways can include:
- 20 mph speed limit signs
- speed humps to calm traffic
- stop signs for side streets crossing the neighborhood greenway
- signs and pavement markings to help people find their way
- easier crossings of busy streets with crosswalks, flashing beacons, or traffic signals
Materials
Project Factsheet (updated 1/31/20)